Orbex releases unseen images of Prime assembly
Above: Second stage and firing structure.
Courtesy Orbex
With the company on the cusp of entering administration, it has chosen to share unique photography of Prime being assembled, highlighting the main structural components of the launch vehicle in near-flight configuration.
The first test launches of Orbex’s microlauncher Prime were due to take place later this year. Orbex had commercial launch commitments from several satellite customers for Prime, which was billed as one of the most advanced, low-carbon microlaunchers in the world.
The first picture shows integrated second stage and fairing structures, with two other second-stage tank assemblies to the left. In the background are first-stage tank components, ready to be assembled and integrated into a full first-stage.
The second picture is a close-up of the integrated second stage structure, showing the fairing and avionics bay assembled in flight configuration onto the second stage tank assembly, with the interstage and first stage visible behind.
Andy Bradford, Chief Technology Officer of Orbex, said: “Orbex was a company of likeminded, determined and highly skilled people all with a common goal to launch rockets into space from UK soil. These images are testament to the progress we had made, and demonstrates the technological advancement we were making.
Engineering, building and operating launch vehicles is a complex and challenging endeavour for a new company, especially when there is so much innovation as there is in Prime. We were on the brink of something incredibly special. These images show just how close we were.”
Orbex filed a notice of intention to appointment Administrators last week and will continue trading while all options for the future of the company are explored, including potential sale of all or parts of its business or assets.
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