Orbex has released previously unseen photographs of its Prime microlauncher as the company prepares to enter administration.
The UK space rocket manufacturer shared the images on 16th of February 2026, revealing Prime in near flight configuration during assembly.
Orbex filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators last week and has confirmed it will continue trading while options for the future of the business are explored, including a potential sale of all or parts of its operations or assets.
The first test launches of Prime had been scheduled for later this year, with commercial launch commitments already secured from satellite customers.
Prime had been promoted as one of the most advanced low carbon microlaunchers in development, designed to launch from UK soil.
One image shows the integrated second stage and fairing structures, alongside additional second stage tank assemblies, with first stage tank components visible in the background awaiting integration.
A second image provides a close up view of the integrated second stage structure, with the fairing and avionics bay assembled in flight configuration onto the second stage tank assembly, and the interstage and first stage positioned behind.
Andy Bradford, Chief Technology Officer of Orbex, said:
“Orbex was a company of likeminded, determined and highly skilled people all with a common goal to launch rockets into space from UK soil.
“These images are testament to the progress we had made, and demonstrates the technological advancement we were making.
“Engineering, building and operating launch vehicles is a complex and challenging endeavour for a new company, especially when there is so much innovation as there is in Prime.
“We were on the brink of something incredibly special.
“These images show just how close we were.”
The release of the images offers a rare glimpse inside the development of a launch vehicle that had been positioned as a cornerstone of the UK’s emerging space sector.
As administration approaches, uncertainty remains over the future of the Prime programme and the wider ambitions of a home grown launch capability.
