Forres-based Orbex has announced construction of a new launch platform which will replicate operations carried out at the new Sutherland Space Hub.

Orbex has commissioned Motive Offshore Group, a Scottish marine and lifting equipment specialist, to fabricate and install the platform at a test site near Kinloss.

The new platform, named Orbex LP1, is expected to be fully operational by early 2022.

Orbex said that the platform will support the testing of the firm’s Orbex Prime rocket, a micro-launcher designed to transport small satellites weighing around 150kg to low Earth orbit.

Launches of the Prime rocket will not take place at the new site; however, the platform will have the capability to launch an orbital rocket, allowing for full ‘dress rehearsals’ of launch procedures.

Orbex LP1 is supposedly the first launchpad of its kind to be built in the UK since the High Down Rocket Test Site facility on the Isle of Wight, which was decommissioned in the early 1970s.

Commenting on the news, Chris Larmour, CEO of Orbex, said: “The ability for our engineers to test Prime on its own launchpad is a major advancement on the roadmap to launch, and we are happy to already be constructing this major piece of infrastructure with Motive Offshore, a partner which has a very strong track record in other relevant industries.

“This will be the first launchpad of its kind built in the UK for more than half a century and we look forward to seeing it completed and ready to go into service in the New Year.”

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The new platform will allow Orbex to accelerate plans to launch Prime from its ‘home’ spaceport at Sutherland in the north of Scotland. Construction of that spaceport is due to begin early next year ahead of the first expected launch of Orbex Prime later in 2022.

Orbex’s new launch platform will be comprised of “all the infrastructure and supporting services” to allow for a “wide variety of integration tests” to take place during launch campaign preparation. This includes testing of the main propellant tanks and multi-engine hot fire testing under vertical firing conditions.

James Gregg, COO at Motive Offshore Group, added: “Motive Offshore Group welcomes the opportunity to work with Orbex on this exciting project.

“Whilst the Aerospace arena may be new territory for Motive, we are completely focused on the standards and performance required to deliver outstanding custom engineering, so very much look forward to transferring our skills and expertise on this project.”

The latest announcement comes after news in December last year that Orbex had secured £18 million in funding to accelerate new UK space projects.

The company said the funding would enable them to secure a roadmap to the first launch from the Sutherland spaceport.

Orbex confirmed a total of six commercial satellite launch contracts, including Sutherland, which was granted planning permission in mid-August 2020.

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