Spaceflight company Orbex has announced a significant shift in its operations. The company will now focus on developing its new medium-sized rocket, Proxima, and launching its vehicles from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland.

Orbex has decided to pause the construction of its own spaceport in Sutherland. While the company retains the lease for the site, the immediate focus is on launching from SaxaVord to accelerate its entry into the market.

This decision will allow Orbex to direct more resources towards the development of Proxima, which is designed to carry larger payloads into orbit. It also positions the company to compete for European launch contracts.

By partnering with SaxaVord, Orbex aims to capitalise on the existing infrastructure and licensing in place at the Shetland spaceport. This collaboration is expected to benefit both companies and contribute to the growth of the UK's space industry.

Phil Chambers, CEO of Orbex, said: "Orbex is first and foremost a launch services specialist. Our primary goal is to support the European space industry by achieving a sustainable series of satellite launches into low Earth orbit. This is best achieved by focusing our resources and talents on developing launch vehicles and associated launch services. This decision will help us to reach first launch in 2025 and provides SaxaVord with another customer to further strengthen its commercial proposition. It's a win-win for UK and Scottish space."


Frank Strang, CEO of SaxaVord spaceport, said: "We're delighted to welcome Orbex to SaxaVord. Given the scale of their ambition and the evolution of their offer to include a medium-sized launch vehicle, it makes sense for Orbex to start operations from SaxaVord Spaceport, which is already licenced and in a position to support their upcoming launches.

"The UK's space industry is developing very quickly and requires the associated economies of scale and synergies to maintain its competitiveness for launch services from Europe."

Orbex is planning to increase the size of its manufacturing capability in Forres to ensure it can meet demand for its smaller vehicle, known as Prime. It will now also use the site to develop a new medium launch vehicle, which will enable Orbex to send more and larger satellites into orbit. It also better positions the business to participate in the European Launcher Challenge, an ESA-run competition to assist with the development of European launch capabilities and to service institutional and commercial contracts.

Phil Chambers added: "Medium-sized space rockets will play an important role in the European space industry in years to come. It is part of our strategic plan to offer the market a medium-sized launcher that will compete in Europe for larger payloads. Pausing the construction of our own spaceport enables us to now focus on developing this offering."