17/07/2018

Partnership with Orbex

Elecnor Deimos has become an investor in Orbex and the two companies have formed a strategic partnership for satellite launches.

Elecnor Deimos forms strategic partnership with ORBEX and invests in the satellite launch firm

Elecnor Deimos has become an investor in Orbex and the two companies have formed a strategic partnership for satellite launches.

17th of July, 2018

Elecnor Deimos has agreed with Orbex to reinforce their collaboration: Elecnor Deimos has become an investor in Orbex; additionally, the two companies have formed a strategic partnership for satellite launches.

During July 2018 Farnborough exhibition, Orbex has announced that it has secured £30 million (€33.9 million) in public and private funding for the development of orbital space launch systems. Recently emerging from stealth mode, Orbex is a UK-based spaceflight company, with subsidiaries and production facilities in Denmark and Germany. The company has received funding from the UK Space Agency (UKSA), two of Europe’s largest venture capital funds, Sunstone Technology Ventures and the High-Tech Gründerfonds, as well as private investors, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission Horizon2020 programme.

The company is constructing a completely re-thought and re-designed orbital launch vehicle, called Prime, to deliver small satellites into Earth’s orbit. Prime launchers are up to 30% lighter and 20% more efficient than any other vehicle in the small launcher category, packing more power per cubic litre than many heavy launchers.

Despite this being the first time that most people have heard of Orbex, they have quietly and diligently reached the point where they are arguably already the leading European space launch company,” commented Miguel Belló Mora, CEO, Elecnor Deimos.  “By re-thinking and re-framing the problems associated with satellite launches, Orbex has developed something unique and disruptive with its Prime launcher.  This is why we are involved both as an investor and a strategic partner.

Elecnor Deimos will contribute with its expertise to the development of the Orbex launcher in areas including:

  • Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) including algorithms, software, test benches and validation and verification processes.
  • Mission Analysis, Mission Engineering and System Engineering, including flight dynamics, safety range and launcher performance.
  • Ground Segment Systems, including Command and Control Center, Ground Support Equipment, ranging systems and ground stations.

By using a number of Elecnor Deimos advanced navigation and mission support systems, Orbex is leaping ahead in its ability to safely and efficiently execute small satellite launches in the near future.  This in turn gives Elecnor Deimos access to innovative and efficient launch vehicles, which will be launched from several sites within Europe.

Orbex has been recently selected by UK Space Agency to launch orbital vehicles from the newly-announced UK Spaceport in the Scottish Highlands and has been awarded a contract as part of the main consortium.

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