From Moonspike to Space Reality

Picture this: Five friends in a British pub in 2015, nursing pints and discussing what sounds like an absurd business plan. "Let's put a spike in the moon," one says. They laugh, but then decide to try it.

That pub conversation sparked Orbex—the Scottish rocket company preparing to launch the first UK-manufactured orbital rocket from British soil.

Three Breakthroughs That Set Orbex Apart

While SpaceX dominates headlines with large rockets, Orbex focuses on a different market:

1. Bio-Propane Fuel Cuts Emissions by 96%

Orbex's Prime rocket uses renewable bio-propane fuel that produces 96% fewer emissions than conventional rocket fuel. Unlike kerosene-powered rockets that release black carbon into the atmosphere, Prime burns cleanly.

2. 3D-Printed Engines in Five Days

The company 3D-prints complete rocket engines in five days and has developed the world's first lineless carbon fiber tank that weighs 30% less than traditional designs.

3. Parachute Recovery Without Ocean Ships

Orbex designed a "petal system" that opens during reentry, slowing the rocket from hypersonic speeds for recovery with parachutes. This eliminates the need for expensive ocean recovery operations.

From Software Success to Space Ambition

Phil Chambers sold his software company for a substantial sum and was succeeding as an angel investor when the opportunity arose to lead a space company. "I couldn't imagine a more interesting job in European technology," he says.

The Growing Space Economy

By 2032, experts predict:

• 4 tons of satellites launched daily

• $100 billion annual satellite market

• 17,000 satellites over the next decade

Orbex isn't just building rockets, they are positioning for a space economy explosion.

Beyond Just Building Rockets

This represents more than rocket development. The implications include European independence from foreign launch providers, economic opportunities in domestic space manufacturing, and demonstrating that space exploration need not harm the environment.

The Bottom Line

The largest revolutions often begin with small moments. In this case: five friends, a few pints, and an improbable idea.

Want to see how impossible dreams become orbital reality? Watch Phil Chambers tell the complete story, from Scottish pubs to space history.