Following news last week that it was on the cusp of insolvency, Scottish rocket manufacturer Orbex has announced that most of its 163 employees have been made redundant, and appointed FRP Advisory as administrators to wind up the business.

The company, which operated a base in Forres, had been at the forefront of the Scottish space sector until 11th February, when it said it had been unable to secure funding to “remain a viable business” over its Series D round, and filed notice of intention to appoint administrators.

Acting for FRP, joint administrators Chad Griffin, Geoff Rowley and Graham Smith said they are already in discussions with more than twenty firms, including other rocket manufacturers, interested in taking on what’s left of Orbex’s business and technology.

“Orbex was at the forefront of the UK’s ambitions to create a sovereign space launch capability, and has made significant technological progress in recent years,” said Griffin, in a statement to the Press & Journal.

“Our focus now is on supporting employees, and engaging with potential interested parties to preserve value in the business assets and seek to retain space launch operations in Forres, given the investments already made.”

The rocket firm, which also counted staff in Denmark as well as holding a lease for a planned spaceport in Sutherland, had secured £138.5 million in funding to date, £76.7 million of which was public investment primarily from the UK Government and the Scottish National Investment Bank.

The Scottish Government’s business minister, Richard Lochhead, wrote that he was “gutted” that talks with a potential buyer for Orbex had failed and that the firm’s employees were facing redundancy.

“This is a blow to Forres and my wider Moray constituency given these are highly skilled jobs in a rising star of Europe’s space industry,” said Lochhead.

“If the UK is serious about sovereign launch capability, then it needs to get behind pioneering deep tech companies like Orbex and do all it can to save these jobs in Forres. I will now be meeting various parties, including the administrator, to explore what can be done moving forward.”

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Over the last few days, Orbex has released previously unseen photographs of its microlauncher, Prime, the first test launches of which were due to take place later this year. Orbex had commercial launch commitments from several satellite customers for Prime, which was billed by the firm as one of the “most advanced, low-carbon microlaunchers in the world”.

The company said that its “Baby Orbex Prime”, two-metre replicas of the launcher, will go on display at Morayvia Aviation Museum in Kinloss and the Aberdeen Science Centre, while other remnants will go to the Science Museum Group in London and the National Museums Scotland.

In a farewell note, Orbex said that despite this not being the conclusion the firm hoped for, it remained proud of its accomplishments and staff.

“The talented Orbex Team will now take their expertise and passion into new roles and adventures. We couldn’t be prouder of each and every person who contributed to this chapter – Orbex and Prime will forever be part of the UK Space Story. The Team’s work, dedication, and spirit are the legacy of Orbex.”

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