Four rocket startups, including UK-based Orbex and German's Rocket Factory Augsburg that is looking to launch from a spaceport in the Shetland islands, have received a funding boost from the European Space Agency as they near their maiden launches.
A total of €44.22 million of co-funding with national governments will be shared as part of the ESA's Boost! programme, aimed at helping startups with the tricky pre-revenue period before their first launches.
Orbex, which as well as building low-carbon 'micro-launcher' rockets has its own launch facility on the north coast of the Scottish Highlands, won a contract extension with the ESA and €5.6 million of new funding as it works towards a first launch attempt in 2025.
After Rocket Factory Augsburg, which is preparing its RFA One rocket for planned launch at the SaxaVord spaceport on the Shetland islands, was hit by an explosion during testing in August, the ESA said the funding will help the company move on and prepare more testing for its initial launch.
"Several first launches of new rockets are close in Europe. Like a new product launch for startups but with a literal liftoff, the months before an inaugural flight can be critical for companies with large teams, many facilities and operations – but no launch system generating revenue yet," the agency said.
The funding for Orbex will allow the company to proceed towards the first demonstration flight of its Prime rocket, which the ESA said covered the important steps towards qualifying carbon-fibre fuel tanks and the integrated testing and first Prime launch.
Orbex is very happy to announce today the extension of its contract with the @esa Boost! Programme and additional funding of €5.6 million.
Read more about this exciting funding update here: https://t.co/wJpfl5jr77@spacegovuk#journeytolaunch #OrbitalInnovation pic.twitter.com/MhAv5mp8rz
— Orbex Space (@orbexspace) November 19, 2024
Phil Chambers, Orbex CEO said: "We welcome this further €5.6 million extension of funding... The initial award made in 2020 has helped us to progress the development of our spaceflight systems.
"This funding extension will enable us to make the vital next step in our journey as we move towards our inaugural launch of our micro-launcher, Orbex Prime next year; these programmes are vital to help realise our shared goal of making the UK a central hub for European space flight."
The other funding was provided to two other German companies, Hyimpulse and Isar Aerospace.
Isar intends to use the funds to complete its test campaign preparing the rocket’s first test flight.
HyImpulse is the most advanced of the quartet, having successfully launched its suborbital SR75 rocket this year, so will use funding to focus on its three-stage SL1 rocket to take 600kg to sun-synchronous orbit.