Journey to Launch - Chapter 004 - The Foundation of Flight ...
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Our Vehicle
Orbex Prime
The Orbex Prime microlauncher has been developed to offer orbital launch services that meet our customers needs today and in the future.
Our team of aerospace engineers have completely re-thought and re-designed the launch vehicle, from avionics and software to structures and propulsion.
We use a wide range of advanced materials and techniques to create each launch vehicle, including the use of additive manufacturing for the majority of the propulsion subsystem and carbon fibre / graphene composites for the main structures and tanks.
Orbex Prime
Payload capability
Up to
180kg
Height
19m
Diameter
1.45m
Fuel
BioLPG
No. of stages
2
No. of engines
7
The Orbex Prime microlauncher has been developed to offer orbital launch services that meet our customers needs today and in the future.
Our team of aerospace engineers have completely re-thought and re-designed the launch vehicle, from avionics and software to structures and propulsion.
We use a wide range of advanced materials and techniques to create each launch vehicle, including the use of additive manufacturing for the majority of the propulsion subsystem and carbon fibre / graphene composites for the main structures and tanks.
Orbex Prime
Payload capability
Up to
180kg
Height
19m
Diameter
1.45m
Fuel
BioLPG
No. of stages
2
No. of engines
7
What makes Orbex Prime unique?
Low carbon fuel
The use of a renewable, bio-propane fuel that cuts carbon emissions by 90% compared to old-fashioned hydrocarbons
Modern architecture
A novel architecture that saves around 30% of inert mass increasing efficiency by 20%
3D Printed Engine
Lightweight, high performance 3D printed rocket engines, uniquely manufactured in a single piece, without joins
Smart ignition
A redundant ignition system with no moving parts or electrics for on-orbit re-start and circularisation
Innovative turbo-pumps
Independent low-temperature turbo-pumps driving each stage 1 engine
Flight proven GNC
Flight-proven guidance, navigation and control (GNC) algorithms
Designed to be re-usable
The rocket is designed to be re-useable - when it returns to Earth, what does not burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere will be recovered and re-used
Our technology
Find out more about the technology innovations that underpin our launch vehicle and our testing programme
Orbex Prime is a remarkable feat of engineering from a British rocket company, pioneering more sustainable and innovative fuels that cut carbon emissions.
UK Science Minister