Orbex, the Highlands-based orbital launch services company, has secured £20 million in funding from the UK Government as part of its ongoing Series D fundraising round.

UK tech secretary Peter Kyle confirmed the investment today at Brussels’ European Space Conference. The investment will help to accelerate further development of Orbex’s Prime rocket—its 19-metre long, two-stage rocket designed to transport small satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

The rocket is poised to become the first in a new generation of “ultra green” launch systems, powered by renewable bi-propane fuel, significantly cutting carbon emissions compared to other similarly-sized rockets that are being developed elsewhere.

The cutting-edge rocket is set to take off from late 2025 at the SaxaVord spaceport on Unst, in the Shetland Islands. It’s one of two licensed vertical launch spaceports currently in Europe.

“By investing £20 million in this rocket launch, we are not only helping the country to become a leading destination for small satellite launches in Europe but bringing highly skilled jobs and investment to communities and organisations across the UK, as part of our Plan for Change,” said the tech secretary.

“Supporting Orbex’s launch will also turbocharge the country’s position in the space sector and inspire our next generation of space professionals, who will be able to design, test, build and launch British rockets, carrying British satellites, from British soil.”

Phillip Chambers, who serves as CEO of Orbex, also remarked: “This first of a kind investment by the UK government demonstrates its confidence in the UK’s space rocket manufacturing and launch sector and is an exciting start to the opening of our Series D fundraising.

“We are entering the final preparations to deliver the most flexible and environmentally sustainable launch services to the global satellite industry.

“This investment paves the way not only for us to launch our first rocket this year but also to develop a larger rocket to enable us to compete in the European Launcher Challenge. These development goals are crucial to our longer-term development.”

In addition to the UK Government’s funding, the rocket firm has also received investment from the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO), Octopus Ventures, and private investor Sohaib Abbasi.

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The announcement of the funding follows the recent news that Orbex appointed Andy Bradford to serve as the rocket firm’s chief technology officer (CTO).

Bradford has brought over two decades of experience in the space industry, with specialism in small satellite and launch operations. He previously led UK Launch Services Ltd (UKLSL) as CEO, and spent over 10 years in various senior technical and project roles, including director of engineering with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL).