D-Orbit Becomes Latest Orbex Customer Ahead of First Launch this Year

UK-based orbital launch services company, Orbex, has announced a new customer agreement with D-Orbit, a market leader in space logistics and transportation.

The partnership marks a significant milestone for Orbex and underscores its readiness for commercial launch services.

Under the agreement, D-Orbit UK will have access to two launches aboard Orbex Prime, the company’s environmentally-friendly micro-launcher, over the course of the next three years.

D-Orbit offers logistics services to the space market, for example by transporting satellites once in orbit and releasing them individually into distinct orbital slots, and testing hosted payloads in space. It also supplies satellite operators with storage capacity and advanced computing capabilities while in orbit.

Jonathan Firth, Chief Corporate Development Officer at D-Orbit, said: "We are very pleased to have signed this agreement with Orbex, further strengthening our commitment to the thriving UK space ecosystem. We continuously explore new ways to enhance our offering and deliver in-orbit services to our customers. Orbex Prime’s missions will provide valuable insights into the UK’s orbital launch capabilities and expand our portfolio of orbital launch solutions. It is an exciting time to be part of the UK space industry, and we look forward to contributing to its continued growth and innovation."

Orbex is developing an advanced, low-carbon, high-performance micro-launcher, called Orbex Prime. Initial launches will take place from SaxaVord Spaceport, where Orbex has a dedicated launch pad and the ability to launch 10 flights per year.

Phil Chambers, CEO at Orbex, said: “Our primary goal is to support the European space industry by offering flexible and sustainable satellite launch options direct from the UK. This customer agreement with D-Orbit is a testament to the technological progress we are making and proves the confidence that commercial space operators have in our plans. We look forward to working together.”

Matt Archer, UK Space Agency Director of Launch, ISAM, and Space Sustainability said

"This agreement between Orbex and D-Orbit demonstrates the growing commercial interest in UK launch, as we count down to the first rockets lifting off from SaxaVord spaceport. D-Orbit’s technology will play a key role in advancing in-orbit logistics, making satellite missions more efficient and sustainable. The UK Space Agency will continue to support Orbex as it moves towards its first launch, strengthening our position as a leading European destination for sustainable spaceflight - creating jobs, growth and innovation across the space sector in the process.”

For further information, please contact Grayling:

orbex@grayling.com

Rebecca Kane: +44 (0) 7852 598 453

Niamh Frizzell: +44 (0) 7921 352 847