ORBITAL EXPRESS LAUNCH LIMITED

Their core work

Orbital Express is a UK-based SME developing low-cost, low-mass propellant tanks for European micro-launch vehicles — the small rockets designed to carry small satellites into orbit affordably. Their core technical contribution is lightweight tank engineering that reduces the mass penalty and carbon footprint of launch vehicles, making space access more economical. They have progressed from a feasibility study to a full development project backed by over €2.5M in EU funding, indicating a credible technology roadmap rather than paper research. They operate squarely in the commercial small satellite launch market, which is experiencing rapid growth as demand for LEO constellation deployment accelerates.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their first H2020 project (OrbEx, 2017), Orbital Express focused on a narrow feasibility question: can innovative low-mass tanks be built for a micro-launcher? No sector keywords were recorded, reflecting an early-stage proof-of-concept framing. By 2019, with PRIME, their scope had broadened to encompass the full vehicle narrative — space access, the micro-launcher system, low-mass engineering, and now explicitly low-carbon performance — suggesting a shift from component research to market-ready positioning. The trajectory is clear: from a single-component feasibility study to a funded development programme with commercial and environmental credentials.

Orbital Express is building toward a commercially viable, environmentally differentiated micro-launch vehicle, making them a candidate partner for any consortium focused on sustainable space access or small-satellite deployment infrastructure.

How they like to work

Orbital Express has acted as coordinator in both of their H2020 projects, indicating a preference for leading their own agenda rather than joining other consortia as a partner. Their consortium footprint is minimal — just 2 unique partners across 2 countries — suggesting they operate with tight, focused teams rather than broad multi-partner alliances. Working with them likely means engaging with a technically driven SME that sets the direction and expects partners to contribute specific, well-defined capabilities.

Orbital Express has worked with only 2 unique partners across 2 countries, reflecting the lean consortium structure typical of SME Instrument projects where the applicant company drives the work. Their international footprint is limited but intentional — the SME Instrument format rewards focused execution over broad partnership.

What sets them apart

Orbital Express is one of a small number of European SMEs with EU-funded development experience specifically in micro-launcher tank technology — a niche where mass savings translate directly into launch cost and payload capacity. Their explicit low-carbon framing, added in the PRIME project, differentiates them from purely performance-focused launch startups and positions them well for future EU Green Deal-aligned space programmes. For a consortium needing credible, funded space hardware development capability from a UK-based SME, they bring a validated track record at both feasibility and full development scale.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PRIME
  The largest project by far at nearly €2.5M EC funding, PRIME represents a full development phase for a low-cost, low-carbon European micro-launch vehicle — a rare combination of commercial ambition and environmental positioning in the space sector.
• OrbEx
  This €50,000 SME Phase 1 feasibility study was the founding proof-of-concept that unlocked the much larger PRIME development grant, demonstrating a disciplined stage-gate approach from idea to funded development.