Orbital Machines

Orbital Machines, established in 2018, was a Norway-based aerospace manufacturer that specialized in electric propellant pumps for the burgeoning small satellite launch sector. The company emerged as a spin-out from the non-profit aerospace organization Copenhagen Suborbitals, where the foundational technology for an electric propellant pump for the Spica rocket was developed and tested. The firm's core focus was to provide a safer, more flexible, and cost-effective alternative to traditional turbopumps, a significant contributor to launch failures and overall rocket costs.

The company's business model targeted the small launch vehicle (SLV) market, which serves the growing demand for small satellite deployment. Orbital Machines' revenue strategy was structured in two phases. The initial phase involved project-based income from adapting its parametric pump designs to specific customer engines, including testing and verification. The subsequent phase aimed for long-term contracts, generating revenue for each commercial satellite launch by their clients. Anticipating the trend towards reusability in launch vehicles, the company was also developing a pay-per-use model for its pumps to create a recurring income stream.

The company's primary product was an electric propellant pump system. This technology leveraged batteries, which offered reduced complexity and lower risk compared to conventional turbopumps. A key feature was the parametric design of the pumps, allowing for rapid and cost-effective customization to fit different types of rocket engines. This adaptability was a significant selling point for the numerous companies developing SLVs. In 2021, Orbital Machines signed its first commercial customer, Venture Orbital Systems, to conduct studies for their Zephyr nanosatellite launcher. Despite its efforts and securing multiple rounds of equity crowdfunding, the company ultimately ceased operations in October 2023.

Keywords: electric propellant pumps, small launch vehicles, spacecraft propulsion, NewSpace, aerospace manufacturing, rocket engine components, satellite launch systems, Copenhagen Suborbitals, Venture Orbital Systems, space technology, propulsion systems, reusable launch vehicles, parametric design, aerospace engineering, launch vehicle technology, satellite deployment, rocket propulsion, aerospace components, Trondheim, formerly VC-backed