Not seen any posts about this. UK built, UK launched, low carbon, renewable fuels for low cost satellites that are increasingly capable, and of which the UK is a world leader. Whats not to like...
Scott Manley (a well known Youtube "astrogamer") explains polar orbits and the launch location in Scotland
Re: Orbex Space
Posted: 12 Feb 2019, 22:13
by dmereifield
Launching from where?
Re: Orbex Space
Posted: 13 Feb 2019, 08:05
by ArmChairCivvy
In addition to location,
"A company involved in plans to establish a spaceport in Sutherland is to open a mission control and design facility in Moray.
UK-based spaceflight firm Orbex said more than 130 new jobs could result from the decision to site the base in Forres.
Land on the Melness Crofters Estate has already been identified as a location for the spaceport."
the Beep reports a lead Swiss customer for 10 launches (very Swiss indeed, owned by Israeli interests, which is not in the story) and LM - on the US company's part the wording is unclear: will they come in as an operating partner, or as a customer.
Of course, if IndyRef2 comes along, our status as a "space power" might be short-lived...
Re: Orbex Space
Posted: 13 Feb 2019, 11:45
by dmereifield
Nice, thanks
Re: Orbex Space
Posted: 13 Feb 2019, 12:44
by Timmymagic
It's always blown my mind that the UK has probably the best location for launching rockets on earth but has never developed it...Ascension Island. Close to the equator, surrounded by Ocean, completely controlled and owned by the UK Gov with a large airbase. The only thing its missing is a deep water port, hell there's even a space tracking facility there (albeit owned and operated by the US.
Re: Orbex Space
Posted: 13 Feb 2019, 13:34
by ArmChairCivvy
Yes "the UK has probably the best location for launching rockets on earth but has never developed it...Ascension Island" but both the location and other economics for LEOs and geostationary satellites look quite different
Re: Orbex Space
Posted: 24 Feb 2019, 16:05
by Dahedd
Designing these in the industrial estate just along the road. Wonder why they've not used Kinloss as a launch site. It's a huge facility & I doubt the Royal Engineers are using it all.
"Update: Go-ahead for Space Hub Sutherland starts countdown to launch of Orbex Prime from Scotland.
The first orbital spaceflight from the United Kingdom has come a step closer following the Highland Council’s decision to give the go-ahead for the Space Hub Sutherland spaceport. Orbex, the UK-based space launch company, has confirmed that Orbex Prime will be the first vertical launch vehicle to fly into orbit from the Space Hub, which will be constructed near Melness on the northern coast of Scotland. Orbex today confirmed the company has already signed six launch contracts...."