Orbex Announces New Collaboration with Altair to Supply Crucial Software for Testing

Orbex has announced the appointment of a new supplier, Altair, a global leader in computational intelligence, at this year’s Farnborough Air Show, as it progresses towards bringing orbital launch services to the UK.

Altair will provide Orbex access to Altair HyperWorks, its design and simulation platform, with a focus on its leading structural simulation, composite design, and additive manufacturing solutions to support the orbital launch services provider as it progresses towards its first launch.

Based in Troy, Michigan, USA, Altair aims to leverage computational science to drive innovation and intelligent decisions within organisations to build better, more efficient and more sustainable products.

The news comes as Orbex and Altair attend The Farnborough International Airshow, a trade exhibition for the aerospace and defence industries. The event showcases cutting-edge innovations, fosters collaboration, and offers business development opportunities.

Orbex is currently constructing Sutherland Spaceport, from which it will vertically launch small satellites into Low Earth Orbit using their Orbex Prime microlauncher. In the lead-up to becoming fully operational as a launch services provider, Orbex is creating new agreements with suppliers that are supporting them on their journey.

Dr. Pietro Cervellera, Senior Vice President Aerospace and Defense at Altair, said: "We are proud to collaborate with Orbex and support its drive for small satellite development and launches. Access to space was once the domain of a few government organizations, innovative teams like Orbex are rapidly changing this paradigm. By utilizing Altair's world-class design and AI-powered simulation technologies for their new product development programs, we can't wait to see what Orbex will achieve in the near future."

Phil Chambers, CEO at Orbex, added: “With a strong focus on quality and sustainability, suppliers are a critical part of our journey to launch and each agreement – such as this one with Altair takes us one step closer to delivering orbital launch services from the UK. This software will allow the team to analyze launch vehicle components prior to the manufacturing process ensuring the efficiency of results and the streamlining of product production.”

This latest agreement with Altair follows the news that Orbex has agreed for MSP to supply technology to automate the production of components, in May.

For further information, please contact Grayling:

Orbex@Grayling.com

Niamh Frizzell: : +44 (0) 7921 352 847

Sian Povey: +44 (0)7860 752 569