Scotland-based rocket firm, Orbex, has set the stage for a groundbreaking year with the appointment of a new CEO and executive chair. Phillip Chambers, a veteran in scaling technology companies, takes the helm as CEO, while Miguel Belló Mora, former director general of the Spanish Space Agency, assumes the role of executive chair. The strategic move comes as Orbex gears up for a historic moment – the launch of the first vertical rocket from the UK mainland.
With over two decades of experience, including leadership roles at Gumtree and Peakon, Phillip Chambers brings a wealth of knowledge to Orbex. His vision aligns with making the UK a pivotal hub for European orbital launches, a sentiment he solidified by investing in Orbex’s £40.4 million Series C round in 2022.
Miguel Belló Mora, drawing from his experience as the commissioner for the Aesospace Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE), expressed his excitement about Orbex’s commitment to driving the space industry forward. “Orbex’s ambition to continually drive the industry forward in both technology and green innovation is unique for the business, and I am pleased to be able to help shape this,” he said.
Orbex is on the verge of transforming the UK space sector, with private companies like Orbex and Skyrora set to launch the first orbital satellite from British soil. The move follows Virgin Orbit’s setback last year, further underscoring the strategic importance of Orbex’s leadership changes.
In a bid to cement its position in the space industry, Orbex has secured six commercial satellite launch contracts, signaling confidence from the market in anticipation of its rockets and spaceport becoming fully operational. The company is constructing a 19-meter-long rocket designed to transport small satellites into low Earth orbit.
Notably, Orbex is not only focused on advancing technology but also on sustainability. The company is developing renewable biofuel to power its rockets. In a recent development, Orbex secured £3.3 million through the UK Space Agency’s contributions to a European Space Agency program, aimed at installing equipment to create fuel based on renewable feedstocks.
The excitement about the future of Orbex is palpable. “I’ve never experienced a more exciting time during my 40 years in the space industry,” remarked Miguel Belló Mora.
Orbex’s strategic vision, combined with the expertise of its newly appointed leadership, positions the company as a key player in the burgeoning space industry. As the world watches, Orbex is poised to make history with the launch of the first vertical rocket from the UK mainland and set new standards for technological innovation and sustainability in space exploration.
Orbex evolution
Orbex’s inception in 2015 marked the beginning of a bold venture. The subsequent years saw the company securing seed funding, opening a design facility in Denmark, and receiving the prestigious H2020 SME Instrument Phase 1 award. In 2017, Orbex achieved a crucial milestone with its first engine test, demonstrating its commitment to pushing the boundaries of propulsion technology. The company also garnered recognition with the UKSA National Space Technology Avionics award.
he years 2018 and 2019 were pivotal for Orbex. Series A funding provided the necessary resources for growth, and the company was awarded funding under the UKSA Satellite Launch Programme. Orbex’s strategic vision was further solidified as it became the preferred ESA microlauncher project and secured partnerships with notable entities like Deimos, Astrocast, and SSTL. Notably, Orbex opened its headquarters and production facility in Forres, Scotland, unveiling the world’s largest 3D printed rocket engine.
As Orbex continued to expand, it achieved several milestones, including the announcement of new customers such as In-Space and launch agreements with ISL. The company’s commitment to sustainability became evident with the opening of a new engine testing site in Denmark and the installation of carbon fibre production facilities. Orbex also made history by becoming the first UK space firm to win the H2020 SME Instrument Ph. 2.
In 2020, Orbex submitted a spaceport planning application, showcasing its ambition for the future. Series B funding provided the financial backing needed for the company’s endeavors. The subsequent year witnessed the opening of a second production facility in Forres and the unveiling of an integrated testing facility at Kinloss. In 2022, Orbex continued to make waves by submitting a launch license application and delivering the first launch platform in 50 years to the Kinloss testing facility. The revelation of the cutting-edge Orbex Prime rocket marked another milestone, accompanied by securing Series C funding.