A SCOTTISH space firm preparing for the UK’s first vertical launch has announced plans to take on an additional 50 staff.

Orbex, which is headquartered in Forres in Moray, are looking for people to support with rocket testing at its LP1 launch platform in nearby Kinloss.

Orbex says the staff it is looking to hire will support “integrated testing” of a complete rocket at the Kinloss site. The firm says the facility “allows for full ‘dress rehearsals’ of rocket launches”.

While many of the new jobs on offer involve technical know-how, with the staff at the firm having backgrounds at agencies such as NASA and the ESA, 15 will require no past experience.

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Orbex says these roles – in areas such as logistics and procurement – will offer “a wide range of people new opportunities to train or re-skill for a career in the UK and European space sector”.

The remaining 35 positions will be in areas such as communications, navigation and control, and propulsion.

Orbex is in a mini-space race against Skyrora, another Scots rocket company, as they both compete to hold the first vertical launch from the UK.

Last week, Skyrora released a video showing what it claimed to be the first successful UK test of an engine which will be used to launch satellites into space.

Outside the US, Scotland manufactures more satellites than any other country in the world, with firms looking to take advantage of a growing backlog.

Scotland’s space industry is aiming to have a £4 billion share of the global market by 2030, with an aim of creating 20,000 jobs in the process. They have also focused on making Scotland’s spaceports the most eco-friendly in the world.

The National:

Orbex said that its Orbex Prime rocket (above) – the first full orbital micro-launcher to be unveiled in Europe – will be powered by a “renewable bio-fuel, bio-propane, which will reduce carbon emissions by up to 96%”.

The final rocket, which will transport satellites weighing up to 150kg to low-Earth orbit, is expected to be launched from Orbex’s “home spaceport” in Sutherland on the north coast. The firm said this site aims to be the world’s first carbon-neutral spaceport.

Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s Employment Minister, said Orbex’s plans were “vital” to the Scottish Government’s aim of creating a “nation of innovators”.

READ MORE: One-fifth of UK Space Agency workforce now based in Scotland

He said: “These jobs will bring us a step closer to achieving our ambition of 20,000 jobs in the Scottish space sector by 2030.

“Orbex is bringing high-value jobs to Moray while inspiring the study of science and engineering – which will help create future rocket scientists. Companies like Orbex are vital to achieving the aims of our newly published National Strategy for Economic Transformation that will support a nation of entrepreneurs and innovators.”

David Oxley, the director of strategic projects at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: "This is fantastic news for Orbex and for the Highlands and Islands. The Scottish space sector is on course for serious growth over the next few years and the economic benefits for our region will be significant.

“We are fast approaching a time when Scottish-made satellites will be sent into low Earth orbit from Scottish spaceports, using rockets designed and manufactured in Scotland. That vision would have seemed far-fetched just a few years ago, and Orbex is playing a major role in making it a reality."

Orbex boss Chris Larmour said: “We have already tripled the size of our team over the last twelve months. And now, the roles we're recruiting for are the clearest demonstration that we're in the final countdown to launch from UK soil.

“There's no better time to join Orbex – we have an extremely exciting few years ahead of us and we encourage people to find out more about the roles we have on offer.”

Positions which are currently open for applications can be found on the Orbex website here.