How much funding has Orbex Space raised?

Orbex Space has raised $158M in total funding. Key investors include Scottish National Investment Bank, Octopus Ventures, BGF, HTGF, Heartcore Capital, Elecnor S.A..

Who is the CEO of Orbex Space?

Phil Chambers is the CEO of Orbex Space. The company was founded in 2015.

Where is Orbex Space located?

Orbex Space is headquartered in Forres, Scotland, United Kingdom.

What products does Orbex Space offer?

Orbex Space's key products include: Prime Launch Vehicle (3D printed engines), Sutherland Spaceport launch services.

What funding stage is Orbex Space at?

Orbex Space is currently at the Defunct stage.

How many employees does Orbex Space have?

Orbex Space has approximately 51-200 employees.

Orbex Space

Name: AM Companies Database
Creator: AMPulse
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

ApplicationForres, Scotland, United KingdomFounded 2015· One of 381 Application companies tracked by AMPulse

Orbex develops small satellite launch vehicles featuring 3D printed rocket engines and eco-friendly propellants.

CEO / Founder: Phil Chambers
Team Size: 51-200
Stage: Defunct
Total Funding: $158M
Latest Round: Series D
Key Investors: Scottish National Investment Bank, Octopus Ventures, BGF, HTGF, Heartcore Capital, Elecnor S.A.

Technology & Products

Key Products

Prime Launch Vehicle (3D printed engines), Sutherland Spaceport launch services

Technological Advantage

3D printed combustion chamber reduces weight and enables complex cooling channels impossible to machine

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Prime rocket enables cost-effective small satellite launches from European soil using sustainable propellants.

How They Differentiate

European launch capability; eco-friendly propellants; 3D printed engine technology

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Small satellite operators, space agencies, constellation companies

Industry Verticals

Space Launch, Satellite Deployment, Aerospace

Competitors

Rocket Lab, Relativity Space, Firefly Aerospace

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

$158M total funding raised over 16 rounds; 56 employees (Dec 2024, down 67% from 2023 due to restructuring); £102M raised since 2015

Major Milestones

2015: Founded in London by Chris Larmour and Kristian von Bengtson; Commissioned largest industrial 3D printer in Europe from AMCM; Partnership with SLM Solutions for 3D printed rocket engines; 2023-04: Founder Chris Larmour departed; 2024-01: Phil Chambers appointed as CEO; 2024-04: Secured £16.7M additional funding; 2024-12: Starting development of medium-sized launch vehicle, operations moving to SaxaVord; 2025-12: Closed Danish subsidiary Orbital Express Launch ApS; 2026-01: Signed letter of intent with The Exploration Company for potential acquisition; 2026-02-11: Filed notice of intention to appoint administrators, business folding

Notable Customers

Small satellite operators seeking UK/European launch capability

https://orbex.space

Why this company matters

Orbex positions itself as Europe's leading small satellite launch provider, differentiating through a combination of metal additive manufacturing and sustainable propellants. The company's Prime launch vehicle uses a 3D printed combustion chamber produced in a single piece without joins, reducing weight and enabling complex internal cooling channels that conventional machining cannot achieve. This approach, developed in partnership with SLM Solutions and using a custom large-volume printer from AMCM, targets cost-effective and environmentally responsible access to space for small satellite operators.

The company serves small satellite operators, space agencies, and constellation companies seeking dedicated launch capability from European soil. Orbex's Sutherland Spaceport in Scotland provides a home base for Prime launches, with operations moving to SaxaVord as the company begins development of a medium-sized launch vehicle. Key partners include the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, reinforcing Orbex's role in building sovereign European launch capacity.

Orbex has raised $158 million across 16 rounds from investors including the Scottish National Investment Bank, Octopus Ventures, BGF, HTGF, Heartcore Capital, and Elecnor S.A. The company underwent significant restructuring in 2024, reducing headcount by 67% to 56 employees, and appointed Phil Chambers as its fourth CEO in January 2024. Competitors include Rocket Lab, Relativity Space, and Firefly Aerospace, but Orbex's focus on bio-propane fuel and the largest 3D printed rocket engine gives it a distinct sustainability angle in the small launch market.