spacetoday.net: Orbex halts work on own launch site

Orbex halts work on own launch site

Posted: Sat, Dec 7, 2024, 10:01 AM ET (1501 GMT)
Small launch vehicle developer Orbex is switching launch sites. The company announced Wednesday it would pause development of its own launch site, Sutherland Spaceport in northern Scotland, and instead operate its Prime rocket from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands. Orbex said the move would free up resources to support work on its Prime launch vehicle and a new medium-class rocket called Proxima. The decision was a surprise, since as recently as last month the company was requesting bids for construction work on the next phases of Sutherland Spaceport. Orbex did not disclose how much money it would save by operating from SaxaVord, which is working with Rocket Factory Augsburg and HyImpulse.