HyImpulse and Orbex are set to receive over £3m each to enable spaceflight activities from UK spaceports.
Awarded using UK Space Agency contributions to ESA’s Boost! Programme, the funding will aim to cement the UK’s position as Europe’s leading destination for spaceflight activities.
Andrew Griffith MP, Minister for Space at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “We want the UK to become Europe’s leading destination for small satellite launches, building on our expertise in satellite design.
“Pioneering innovations like building the world’s most eco-friendly space rocket signal our commitment to being at the forefront of the next generation of space technology while raising our standing as a leader in space sustainability.
“Our funding alongside further private sector investment will enhance the work of our ambitious space sector while creating highly skilled jobs across the UK that grow our economy.”
The funding will grow the UK’s spaceflight activities
Orbital launch services company Orbex will receive around £3.3m to ensure that spaceflight activities are environmentally friendly.
This includes installing a green propellant plant to manufacture a clean propane produced from renewable feedstocks. Made from plant and vegetable waste material, clean propane will be used on-site.
Sutherland Spaceport aims to be the first carbon-neutral spaceport. The launch site will be the home spaceport of Orbex and will boost spaceflight activities in the country, seeing the launch of 12 orbital rockets per year. The rockets launched will be the company’s reusable and environmentally friendly rocket Prime – powered by the renewable biofuel manufactured on site.
It is anticipated that Sutherland Spaceport will support around 613 full-time equivalent posts throughout the wider Highlands and Islands. This includes 44 full-time equivalent posts at the site itself.
Based in Shetland, HyImpulse UK will receive almost £3.4m to undertake their Hybrid Propulsion Test Programme ahead of the proposed launch of their launch vehicle.
By 2030, HyImpulse aims to achieve carbon-neutral operations, including the use of synthesised paraffin fuel and renewable energy sources.
Funding awarded for UK spaceflight activities
In 2019, the UK invested £12m into the Boost! Programme to support spaceflight activities. Another £12m was invested in 2022. The funding acts as one of the largest investments from ESA Member States.
Previous Boost! contracts were awarded to the companies in 2020 and 2021.
Matt Archer, Director of Launch at the UK Space Agency, said: “Our investment in both Orbex and HyImpulse demonstrates our continued commitment to make the UK Europe’s leading destination for launch by encouraging the development of launch companies.
“These contracts will help Orbex to develop the launch site at Sutherland Spaceport and HyImpulse to prepare for their first launch from SaxaVord Spaceport, enhancing our launch capability, creating high skilled jobs and supporting the government’s vision for the UK to be Europe’s most attractive launch destination by 2030.”
