The company’s first rocket launch was originally planned to take place in early 2026, however the companies extraterrestrial dreams have come crashing down after appointing administrators on 19 February.

Orbital Express Launch Limited, known as Orbex, was founded in 2016 where it first began designing rockets and satellites to be launched from the Scottish Highlands. Just last year in January, the government gave the company a ‘£20m direct investment’ of taxpayer money as part of Series D fundraising.

Following weeks of efforts to find a buyer, Chad Griffin, Geoff Rowley and Graham Smith of FRP Advisory have been appointed as joint administrators.