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UK-based small launch developer Orbex<\/a> got another boost from Scotland\u2019s national bank and other investors as it gears up for its first orbital launch, though that mission still does not have a set date.<\/p>\n Founded in 2015, Orbex is one of a handful of firms racing to develop the next generation of European launch vehicles. These companies are looking to fill the massive gap left by the retirement of the Ariane 5 and major delays to the Ariane 6 and Vega C rockets; the absence of these vehicles means there is essentially zero native launch capacity coming out of Europe.<\/p>\n But the absence also means opportunity for Orbex. The company is developing what\u2019s sometimes called a microlauncher: a two-stage vehicle called Prime that stands just 19 meters tall, designed to carry payloads up to 180 kilograms. The closest comparison is Rocket Lab\u2019s Electron, which is a meter shorter but can carry up to 300 kilograms.<\/p>\n To Orbex, this small stature is a benefit, not a drawback, and Orbex CEO Philip Chambers told TechCrunch via email that the company is seeing \u201cpositive market conditions\u201d for its product.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are seeing an exponential growth of satellites being launched into LEO and demand for launch is far exceeding supply \u2013 at the present time it\u2019s not possible to launch a single kilogram from Europe and there is pent-up demand for sovereign launch capabilities,\u201d he said. \u201cWe will offer freedom of action to European customers to be in control of their own launches and launch European Payloads from European soil.\u201d<\/p>\n Prime will be launched from a new spaceport in Sutherland, northern Scotland, which is being constructed with the help of funding from UK\u2019s national space agency. The aim is eventually to incorporate a patented recovery technology which the company calls REFLIGHT. This is an interstage structure that sits between the rocket stages; after the booster detaches, four \u2018petals\u2019 will fold out and, along with a parachute, create enough drag to enable a soft ocean splashdown.<\/p>\n A larger vehicle could eventually be in the plans as well, though Chambers was clear that Prime was the company\u2019s first priority. However, he said that many of that rocket\u2019s core technologies could scale to support larger payloads.<\/p>\n \u201cThe laws of physics dictate that if you want to compete on cost per kg you need to do this with larger vehicles, therefore, I think that it makes sense for Orbex to consider this.\u201d<\/p>\n The company is kicking off its Series D with \u00a316.7 million ($20.7 million) in fresh funding, with additional contributions from Octopus Ventures, BGF, Heartcore, EIFO and others. The new capital comes after Orbex closed a \u00a340.4 million ($50 million) Series C in October 2022<\/span><\/a>. While a spokesperson confirmed the new funding will \u201chelp Orbex<\/span> ramp up the development of Prime \u2026 to ensure full readiness and scalability for its launch period,\u201d a firm launch window has yet to be announced.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n