Seasoned Tech and Space Experts Join the Orbex Team
Orbex, a leading UK orbital launch services firm, has welcomed two industry veterans to its executive team. Phillip Chambers, a scale-up specialist, steps in as the new CEO, while Miguel Belló Mora, former director general of the Spanish Space Agency, takes the reins as executive chair.
Phillip Chambers: From Investor to CEO
Chambers brings over 20 years of experience in growing businesses and scaling technology platforms for European startups such as Gumtree, Peakon, and Qype. His relationship with Orbex isn’t new; he was an investor in the firm’s Series C funding round, which raised £40.4 million.
Miguel Belló Mora: A Wealth of Space Sector Experience
Belló Mora comes from an extensive background in leadership roles in the space sector. His latest role was overseeing a €4.5 billion (£3.9bn) programme for the Spanish aerospace sector. His previous positions include founder and CEO of DEIMOS space group and CEO of the Atlantic International Research Centre.
Timely Appointments for a Growing UK Space Sector
Their arrival comes at a critical juncture for the UK space sector, which is rapidly developing capabilities to launch satellites into orbit for the first time. The duo will collaborate to solidify Orbex’s position as Europe’s leading orbital launch company. Orbex already boasts six commercial satellite launch contracts and is developing one of the world’s most environmentally sustainable orbital launch rockets.
Leadership Roles and Responsibilities
As CEO, Chambers will guide Orbex through its next growth phase, including the completion of its Sutherland Spaceport. This spaceport, according to Orbex, will be the world’s first carbon-neutral spaceport in terms of construction, operation, testing phases, and regulatory licensing. Belló Mora, as executive chair, will lend his industry knowledge to support Orbex’s ambitious strategy.
Leadership Statements
Phillip Chambers expressed his excitement about joining Orbex at such a pivotal time, saying, “We’re about to embark on an incredible journey.” He further expressed his commitment to driving Orbex towards the next phase of growth.
Miguel Belló Mora shared his enthusiasm for the unique opportunity to shape the future of Orbex, adding, “Orbex’s ambition to continually drive the industry forward in both technology and green innovation is unique for the business.”
Orbex’s Green Rocket and Spaceport
Orbex is developing Prime, a 19-metre long, two-stage rocket designed to transport small satellites weighing up to 180kg into Low Earth Orbit. The rocket is powered by a renewable bio-fuel, significantly reducing carbon emissions compared to other similarly sized rockets.
Last year, Orbex began constructing the Sutherland Spaceport on the North coast of Scotland. This spaceport, the first vertical launch spaceport on the UK mainland, will serve as Orbex’s primary launch site, with plans to launch up to 12 rockets per year for the deployment of satellites into Earth’s orbit.
