A British space company is seeking new employees as it prepares for the nation’s first vertical rocket launch. As part of its largest internship program to date, Orbex is seeking to hire up to a dozen new interns, with recruitment beginning next month.
Later this year, the company will launch its 62-foot-tall “Prime” rocket from the Sutherland Spaceport in Scotland, competing with Skyrora to achieve the first successful launch from the British mainland after Virgin Orbit’s failure earlier this year.
The director of talent acquisition at Orbex, Elliot Doyle, added, “The first vertical launch from the UK mainland will be a watershed moment, and we hope that new and existing interns will play a role in delivering it.
“It is a remarkable opportunity to learn from our experienced team […] while contributing to initiatives that will shape the future of sustainable orbital spaceflight.
“While we, like many others, are eagerly anticipating the launch of Prime, our concentration remains on creating a sustainable, reliable, and financially viable route to space for our expanding satellite clientele.
“The first launch is just the beginning, but what a beginning it is to be a part of.”
Orbex is offering internships across the organization for its upcoming intern class, including in administration, assembly integration and testing, avionics, guidance, navigation and control, marketing, propulsion mechanisms, software, structures, structures, and systems engineering.
The trainees will work with staff members whose professional experience includes stints at NASA, the European Space Agency, and other commercial spaceflight organizations.
In May of last year, Orbex introduced its Prime “micro launcher” rocket to the European space community.
According to their explanation, Prime will provide a dedicated launch service for satellite manufacturers and operators; several have already contracted Orbex to transport their satellites into orbit.
Delivering spaceflight as sustainably as feasible remains a top priority for the company.
They added, “The reusable Prime rocket was designed to leave no debris on Earth or in orbit, and it is powered by a renewable form of propane.”
Prime launches have a carbon footprint that is up to 96% less than launches using conventional fossil fuels for vehicles of comparable dimensions.
Sutherland Spaceport, they added, “is being constructed by Orbex with a focus on sustainability and is intended to be the first carbon-neutral spaceport in the world for both construction and operation.”