Space startups in the United Kingdom
The directory tracks 17 space companies in the United Kingdom. They work on launch, in-space manufacturing, components & subsystems, information & research and more.
Updated 27 September 2026 · 2 milestones in the last 90 days · Follow by RSS
Where things stand
As of 27 September 2026
Most of the UK companies still going have flown hardware in space. SatVu's first thermal imaging satellite failed in orbit in 2023, and its second, HotSat-2, went into commercial service in June 2026. Space Forge heated its furnace to 1,000°C on ForgeStar-1 in December 2025, a first for commercial manufacturing in orbit. Oxford Space Systems deployed its Wrapped Rib antenna in orbit for the first time in January 2026. Magdrive's first thrusters made plasma in orbit in 2025 but never moved the spacecraft.
British launch has had a hard few years. The first orbital launch attempt from UK soil, by Virgin Orbit in January 2023, failed and took Space Forge's first satellite with it. Skyrora became the first British company licensed to launch from the UK in August 2025. Six months later Orbex went into administration without ever flying its Prime rocket, and Highlands and Islands Enterprise has since bought its Sutherland spaceport assets from the liquidators.
Five UK companies have shut down, more than in any country except the United States. Reaction Engines went into administration in October 2024 after 35 years developing an air-breathing rocket engine. Space Talos, UKAM and ShipInSpace were dissolved at Companies House. Two were bought: Space Impulse by The Quantum Insider in 2022, and Isotropic Systems, now All.Space, by York Space Systems in 2026.
Latest milestones
Every dated event from the companies below, newest first, each with its source.
Orbex: Highlands and Islands Enterprise buys the Sutherland Spaceport assets from the liquidators, six months after Orbex entered administrationOrbex: Administrators report £689,000 cash against a £117 million deficit
SatVu: HotSat-2 enters commercial service
Space Forge: An ESA grant of £10M funds a mission to launch Pridwen, its fold-out heat shield, and bring it back to Earth
Reaction Engines: An undisclosed buyer completes an £884,000 purchase of the IPSatVu: HotSat-2 returns first light imagery of three energy sites
Isotropic Systems: York Space Systems agrees to acquire the company, which continues as All.Space under CEO Paul McCarterSatVu: HotSat-2 launched on Falcon 9 Transporter-16SatVu: Closes £30 million round backed by NATO Innovation FundShow 39 earlier milestones
Orbex: Enters administration after a failed Series D and sale talks
Magdrive: Its orbital demo proves charging and plasma generation but never maneuvers the spacecraft
Oxford Space Systems: Wrapped Rib antenna deploys in orbit for the first time, on SSTL’s CarbSAR missionSpace Forge: Fires its orbital furnace to 1,000°C and generates plasma on ForgeStar-1, a first for commercial in-space manufacturingSpace Forge: Pridwen, its fold-out heat shield, deploys in weightlessness on a ZeroG parabolic flight
Open Cosmos: Completes the landmark MANTIS imaging mission
Skyrora: Becomes the first British company licensed to launch from the UK, with a CAA operator licence for Skylark LOrbex: Preselected by ESA for the European Launcher ChallengeMagdrive: Flies two Rogue metal-plasma thrusters on a D-Orbit vehicle, its first flight hardwareReaction Engines: Administrators line up a sale of the hypersonic technologySpace Forge: ForgeStar-1, the UK’s first in-space manufacturing satellite, launches on Transporter-14Magdrive: Raises a $10.5M seed led by Redalpine and opens a US officeOrbex: UK government invests £20 million, taking Series D to £23 millionOrbex: Halts work on its own spaceport and moves first launch to SaxaVordSatVu: Raises £20 million from equity round and insurance payoutReaction Engines: Enters administration, cutting 173 of 208 staffMagdrive: Signs with D-Orbit to fly its electric propulsion as a hosted payload
Space Talos: Dissolved at Companies House without any announcementOrbex: Raises £16.7 million for Sutherland spaceport and Prime
Space Impulse: Launches its space market intelligence platform
Sen: SpaceTV-1’s 4K cameras reach the ISS on CRS-30 and are installed on the Bartolomeo platformSatVu: HotSat-1 fails in orbit six months after launchOpen Cosmos: MANTIS and PLATERO reach orbit on Transporter-9, joining the shared OpenConstellationSatVu: HotSat-1 launched on Falcon 9 Transporter-8
ShipInSpace: Dissolved at Companies HouseSpace Forge: ForgeStar-0 is lost on Virgin Orbit’s failed Start Me Up mission, the first orbital launch attempt from UK soilReaction Engines: Raises £40 million led by the UAE Strategic Development Fund
UKAM: Dissolved by voluntary strike-off at Companies HouseSpace Impulse: Acquired by The Quantum Insider to become a market intelligence businessOrbex: Closes £40.4 million Series C led by Scottish National Investment BankIsotropic Systems: Isotropic Systems rebrands as All.Space, unveiling its fifth-generation multi-link terminal
Space Store: Opens a second shop in Oxford's Covered MarketSatVu: Raises £15 million Series A led by SeraphimReaction Engines: SABRE precooler validated at Mach 5 airflow temperaturesSpace Store: Opens its first shop, a proof of concept in DidcotOrbex: Prime rocket and single-piece 3D printed engine unveiledReaction Engines: BAE Systems buys a 20 percent stake for £20.6 millionAll 17 companies
Companies still operating first, then by latest news.
SatVu Thermal imaging from space
Space Forge Semiconductors made in orbit
BioOrbitPharma crystals grown in microgravity
Magdrive Metal-fueled plasma propulsion
Oxford Space Systems Deployable structures
Open Cosmos Space mission services
Skyrora Building launch vehicles
Sen Space TV for humanity
Space Store Education and retail
Isotropic Systems AcquiredHigh-bandwidth satellite terminals
Space Impulse AcquiredThe Space Business Network
Black Arrow DormantHorizon sea launch service
Orbex Shut downPrivate launch services
Reaction Engines Shut downAir-breathing rocket engines
Space Talos Shut downShielding for satellite electronics
ShipInSpace Shut downProvide access to space
UKAM Shut downAnalogue missions
How many space startups are there in the United Kingdom?
Space Bandits tracks 17 space companies in the United Kingdom. Of those, 9 are active startups.
What do space startups in the United Kingdom work on?
The biggest groups are launch (4), in-space manufacturing (2) and components & subsystems (2), out of 9 sectors in all.
What is the latest news from space startups in the United Kingdom?
The most recent milestone on record is from Orbex, dated 25 August 2026: "Highlands and Islands Enterprise buys the Sutherland Spaceport assets from the liquidators, six months after Orbex entered administration."
How many space startups in the United Kingdom have shut down?
5 of the 17 have shut down, and 1 more is dormant, with no public activity for years. The graveyard records how each one ended.
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