According to new atlas, orbex publicly displayed the full-scale prototype of its reusable prime rocket on the platform of Sutherland Space Center in northern Scotland. The first-ever vertical launch of a satellite from the UK will be carried out in the coming months.
Although the UK is a major player in space technology, no space rocket has been launched since 1971, nor has it been launched from the UK itself. Now, with the booming market for cube satellites and other small satellites, orbex, an aerospace company based in Scotland, has developed prime. This is a 19 meter (62 foot) two-stage rocket with carbon / graphite components and seven UK Denmark 3D printing engines - six in the first stage and one in the second stage - all running on green biological propane.
Now, prime has been fully integrated and set up on its platform. It will conduct extensive testing, launch drills and adjustment of launch procedures. When ready, the rocket will be able to deliver batches of small satellites to low earth orbit. According to orbex, due to its reusability, Prime's design leaves no debris during launch and produces 96% lower net carbon emissions than traditional fuel launchers.
Prime is scheduled to launch later this year when space hub Sutherland is fully operational. At that time, it will not only be the first carbon port in space, but also the first in the world.
Chris Larmour, CEO of orbex, said: "This is an important milestone for orbex, highlighting how far we are now. From the outside, it may look like an ordinary rocket, but internally, prime is different from anything else. In order to provide the performance and environmental sustainability of 21st century rockets we want, we must innovate in many areas - low-carbon fuels, fully 3D printed rocket engines, very light fuel tanks, And novel low-quality reusable technologies. "