OrbitX

Orbital Exploration Technologies, Inc., also known as Orbital Exploration or OrbitX, is a Philippine aerospace and space transportation company.

OrbitX
OrbitX
FormerlyOrbX
TypePrivate
IndustryAerospace
FoundedJune 2, 2019 (2019-06-02)
Headquarters
Quezon City
Key people
  • Dexter Baño Jr.
    (CEO)
Products
Websiteorbitalxploration.com

History

OrbitX was established on June 2, 2019 as OrbX,[1] a private venture by a group of youth including Dexter Baño Jr., Enzo Victor, and Paulo Sairel.[2] OrbitX's short term goal is to develop the first indigenous reusable rocket, and the long-term goal is to send the first Filipino to Mars and back.[3] OrbitX is known as the Philippines' first commercial spaceflight company.[4][5]

Its first flagship project is the Haribon SLS-1 launch vehicle. OrbitX started a crowdfunding campaign which received support from Southeast Asian firm and Genix Ventures and other private individuals. It also received a two-year funding of $6,500 for research purposes from the Amazon Web Services.[6]

Projects

Haribon SLS-1
Haribon SLS-1
FunctionSmall-lift Orbital launch vehicle
ManufacturerOrbitX
Country of originPhilippines
Capacity
Payload to 200km LEO
Launch history
StatusIn development
Total launches0
First flight2023–2024 (planned)

OrbitX is developing its own space launch vehicle which it dubs as the Haribon SLS-1.[4] It is to be propelled using components also to be developed by OrbitX: Tamaraw Rocket Engine and RP-2 fuel, a plastic-derived fuel. RP-2 gets its named from RP-1, the refined kerosene that is typically used in rockets.[4][5] As of January 2021, the project is in the Technology Readiness Level 4 phase of development with its components still being validated in a laboratory environment.[6] It is projected to carry a payload of 200 kilograms (440 lb) into low Earth orbit. The company plans to have the maiden launch of the Haribon SLS-1 sometime between 2023 and 2024.[6]

Fuels

Among OrbitX's research is the potential use of algae as biofuel for both small and large-scale space launch vehicles. The company has noted that algae-derived biofuel has already had prior used on aircraft; particularly in a Houston–Chicago Boeing 737 flight.[2] It is also developing, OrbitX RP-2, its own propriety fuel derived from pyrolysis-processed waste plastic.[7]

Orbital Coin (ORBX)

On February 10, 2021, OrbitX teased about their in-house cryptocurrency.[8] On February 12, 2021, OrbitX announced the cryptocurrency named Orbital Coin or ORBX, as they'll also fund the rocket using their in-house cryptocurrency.

On July 5, 2021, OrbitX announced their initial coin offering, as scheduled on July 20. ORBX was developed by ProofSys.io and OrbitX.[9]

Cooperation

OrbitX relays its findings and developments to the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), the national space agency of the Philippine government, although OrbitX itself is a private venture and is independent from PhilSA.[6] It also has partnerships and affiliations with the Space4Impact and Space Impulse, the Green Party of the Philippines, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and the government's Department of Environment and Natural Resources.[7]

References
  1. "The OrbitX Plan — Orbital Exploration Technologies Inc. ( OrbitX )". OrbitX. Orbital Exploration Technologies, Inc. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  2. Samson, Oliver (July 14, 2019). "Algae as spacecraft fuel? Possible, youth group says". BusinessMirror. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  3. Felongco, Gilbert (August 30, 2019). "Filipino dreams of developing space vehicle for countrymen". Gulf News. GN Media. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  4. Devanesan, Joe (November 6, 2020). "How the Philippines space program will combat the global waste problem". Tech Wire Asia. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  5. Goh, Deyana (October 20, 2020). "The Philippines' first rocket company aims for green launches". SpaceTech Asia. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  6. Matias, Jairus (January 7, 2019). "Local space venture gears up for first rocket launch". BusinessWorld. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  7. Goh, Deyana (November 1, 2020). "Interview: Founder of OrbitX on sustainable launches, the Philippines' space industry". SpaceTech Asia. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  8. "One Filipino Coin For Space". Facebook. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  9. "Initial Coin Offering Alert!". Facebook. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
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