We aim to be the first and leading supplier of large electric turbopumps for the fast growing small satellite launch sector.
Eivind Liland
CEO orbital machines
The NewSpace Era
In 2009 SpaceX launched their first commercial payload. Since then private equity in space has accelerated at a high rate. Venture capitalists poured $3.25 Billion into space technology companies in 2018, an increase of 29% from the year before.
The biggest area of space investments since 2009 is launch vehicles. This is due to the growth and demand of the small satellite industry.
Commercial growth in space technology needs technological breakthroughs to decrease costs and make space available for everyone.
The Electric Turbopump
A major pain point of developing a launch vehicle (orbital rocket), is the turbopump.
Due to recent progress in battery technology, using electric turbopumps as an alternative to traditional turbine pumps is now possible.
An electric turbopump will have additional weight due to the battery package, but in return be a cheaper, safer and more flexible alternative for small satellite launch vehicles.
Small launch vehicles’ most important competetive advantages is cost and flexibility, making an electric turbopump the right choice.
In 2018, Rocket Lab launched the world’s first orbital launch vehicle with an electric turbopump.
However, this was developed particularly for their own launch rocket, and is not for sale.
Orbital Machine’s electric turbopump will be the most powerful of its kind launched into space, commercially available for the accelerating launch vehicle market.
The problem is that battery driven turbopumps do not exist as commercial products yet.
Orbital Machines will develop the electric turbopump, while we develop our rocket engine. Then we will merge the two together resulting in a highly efficient propulsion unit.
Thomas Pedersen
Copenhagen Suborbitals
Our Journey
Eureka!
May 22, 2018
Due to recent advances in electrical motors and batteries, a wild idea of using an electric turbopump for Copenhagen Suborbitals ongoing lauch vehicle project Spica…
Read moreSuccessful crowdfunding
December 19, 2018
A share-based crowdfunding was completed, resulting in 144 new shareholders in the company. Investing in a range from $100 to $20.000. The point of this…
Read moreTest #1
October 23, 2019
First test will be completed at the Hydropower Laboratory at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), who are world leading on pumps and turbines….
Read moreTest #2 (Full scale)
June 17, 2020
A full scale engine test with Copenhagen Suborbitals and their rocket engine Spica. This is the final step of our spin-off cooperation with Copenhagen Suborbitals…
Read moreTeam
Board and Advisory
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