Prime

Second stage engineering prototype of the Prime orbital rocket
Function	Small payloads to low Earth orbit
Manufacturer	Orbex
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Size
Height	19 m (62 ft)
Diameter	1.45 m (4 ft 9 in)
Mass	18,000 kg (40,000 lb)
Stages	2
Capacity
Payload toSSO (500 km or 310 mi)
Mass	180 kg (400 lb)
Associated rockets
Comparable	Electron
Launch history
Status	Under development
Launch sites	SaxaVord Spaceport Sutherland spaceport (proposed) Azores spaceport (proposed)
First flight	Unknown (Company entered Insolvency)
First stage
Diameter	1.45 m (4 ft 9 in)
Powered by	6
Propellant	LOX / bioLPG
Second stage
Diameter	1.45 m (4 ft 9 in)
Powered by	1
Propellant	LOX / bioLPG
[edit on Wikidata]

ThePrime rocket is a future British light launch vehicle under development byOrbex. Its booster (first stage) is planned to bereusable.^[1][2] The rocket's diameter is 1.45 m (4 ft 9 in),^[3] and will use a non-toxic bi-propellant consisting ofliquid oxygen andpropane. First stage reuse is planned to be achieved by a combination of a parachute and four 'petals' which will fold out prior to atmospheric reentry to induce drag and passively reorient the vehicle.^[4] It will be capable of launching payloads up to 150 kilograms (330 lb) to a standard 500 kmSun-synchronous orbit (SSO).^[5][2]

In February 2026, the future of Prime was put in doubt when Orbex beganinsolvency proceedings.^[6][7]

One cited advantage of using propane is that it remains liquid at cryogenic temperatures, which enables a design where a central carbon-fibre tank of propane is surrounded by an outer tank of liquid oxygen, creating a light structural mass.^[5]

In 2022, the maiden flight of Prime was expected to occur in late 2025, subject to the availability ofSaxaVord Spaceport and aCivil Aviation Authority launch licence,^[8] forSurrey Satellite Technology Ltd.^[9] As of 2025, the first flight is planned for early 2026.^[10] Orbex also announced it was chosen bynanosatellite companyAstrocast to launch their communications satellites^[11][12][13] and by Italian in-orbit logistics companyD-Orbit for two other launches.^[14]

• European Launcher Challenge – Space launch vehicle development programme of the European Space Agency
• Other orbital launchers under development in Europe:
  • Ariane Next – Orbital recoverable launch vehicle of the European company ArianeGroup
  • Maia – French orbital reusable rocket of the company MaiaSpace
  • Miura 5 – European orbital recoverable rocket of the company PLD Space
  • Miura Next – European orbital recoverable rocket of the company PLD Space
  • RFA One – Space launch vehicle in development
  • Spectrum – Two-stage small launch vehicle

• Commercial spaceflight
• Reusable launch systems
• Astronautics
• Space launch vehicles of Europe
• Space industry
• Space launch vehicles of the United Kingdom

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata