Forres satellite firm awarded £3.3m by UK Space Agency

A Moray company's bid to launch commercial satellites into space has today received £3.3million of fresh funding.

Orbex, which has its offices at the Forres Enterprise Park, has been awarded the cash by the UK Space Agency.

The company will use it to help build its spaceport, which is currently under construction at the remote A’Mhoine peninsula, west of Tongue in Sutherland.

From here, it aims to have up to a dozen launches each year.

Martin Coates, Orbex's CEO, said: "Receiving this funding from the UK Space Agency as part the European Space Agency’s Boost! programme is not only very welcome, it’s further validation of our commitment to delivering low-carbon, high-performance space launch services in a way that respects the environment.

"The development of the Ultra-Green Launch Complex at Sutherland Spaceport is a critical step this journey, and this support will enable us to continue working toward our ultimate goal of making the UK a central hub for European space flight."

Orbex is aiming for its launch site to become the world's first carbon-neutral spaceport.

The satellites will be ferried into space by Orbex Prime, a 19-metre-long rocket which has been engineered to leave zero debris in orbit.

It uses a renewable form of propane, meaning it has a carbon footprint up to 96% less than those powered by fossil fuels.

Andrew Griffith, the Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: "The UK’s space industry is thriving, and we’re committed to becoming Europe’s leading destination for small satellite launches.

"Today’s funding will not only help grow our domestic launch capability but also catalyse investment across the supply chain, creating highly skilled jobs and local opportunities right across the UK."

Five spaceports are currently under construction around different parts of Scotland.

Saxavord, which is sited on Shetland, has also received £3.4million of funding today from the UK Space Agency.