ABOUT ORBITEXSPACE
We build rockets, operate satellites, and deliver data from orbit. Founded in Chicago in 2016, we've grown from 12 engineers to a 600-person team launching monthly across multiple orbital regimes.
MAKING ORBIT ACCESSIBLE,
RELIABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE
Our mission is to lower the barrier to space for organizations of every size. We vertically integrate launch vehicles, satellite platforms, and data services so our customers can focus on what matters — their mission, not the infrastructure.
Milestones
Founded
OrbitExSpace established in Chicago, Illinois with a team of 12 aerospace engineers and a vision for affordable, reliable orbital access.
First Engine Test
Successful hot-fire test of the OEX-1 engine prototype at our Ottobrunn test facility. 45 seconds of sustained combustion at full thrust.
Series A Funding
€40M raised to accelerate vehicle development and build out our integration facility. Strategic investment from European aerospace primes.
Vanguard-1 Design Freeze
Final design review completed for the Vanguard-1 launch vehicle. Full qualification testing campaign initiated across all subsystems.
First Launch
Vanguard-1 maiden flight from Andøya Space, Norway. Successful deployment of two technology demonstration satellites to 500 km LEO.
Operational Cadence
Achieved monthly launch cadence. 12 missions completed in the calendar year with 100% mission success rate.
Satellite Bus Launch
Introduced the modular satellite platform for hosted payloads. First Satellite-as-a-Service customer onboarded within 90 days.
Earth Observation Constellation
Deployed the first four satellites of our EO constellation. Multispectral and SAR imaging services opened to commercial and government customers.
100th Mission
Milestone 100th launch. Cumulative payload mass delivered to orbit exceeded 25,000 kg across LEO, SSO, MEO, and GTO.
Vanguard-2 Heavy
First flight of the Vanguard-2 Heavy vehicle, extending payload capacity to 1,500 kg to LEO and enabling GTO-class missions.
Global Expansion
New launch site agreements in Australia and French Guiana. Team surpasses 600 employees across the US and partner countries worldwide.
Leadership
Sascha Reichenbaecher
Founded OrbitExSpace in Chicago with a vision to make orbital access reliable and affordable. Leads company strategy, mission direction, and technology roadmap across launch, robotics, and space data services.
Dr. James Harrington
Former Deputy Administrator of NASA. Oversaw the Artemis program, Commercial Crew, and James Webb Space Telescope deployment. 28 years in federal and commercial aerospace leadership.
Laura Chen
Previously led space policy and national security programs for a federal advisory firm. 15 years across defense technology, government relations, and strategic partnerships.
Marcus Keller
Former propulsion engineer at SpaceX, contributing to Merlin engine development across Falcon 9 campaigns. Holds 12 patents in rocket propulsion and combustion systems.
Dr. Priya Nair
Former research scientist at NASA JPL, contributing to the Mars 2020 Perseverance mission. 15 years in planetary science, autonomous systems, and robotic exploration.
Sophie Durand
Background in aerospace investment banking and corporate finance. Spent eight years structuring capital raises and M&A transactions for commercial space companies before joining OrbitExSpace.
Dr. Aisha Rahman
Earth observation scientist with 12 years in remote sensing and satellite data systems. Joined from a mid-size EO startup where she led product and data pipeline development.
Thomas Lindgren
Former range operations engineer at Vandenberg SFB. Has supported over 40 orbital launch campaigns across multiple vehicle types. Joined OrbitExSpace in 2019.
Dr. Kenji Tanaka
Structural engineer with a background in composite aerostructures. Spent seven years at a tier-one aerospace supplier before leading structures at OrbitExSpace since 2020.
Marcus Webb
Former program manager in the federal space acquisition community. Brings hands-on experience in government contracting, compliance, and building long-term agency partnerships.
Dr. Elena Voss
Former ESA mission systems engineer with experience in spacecraft autonomy and AI-assisted planning. Has been with OrbitExSpace since the early Vanguard development phase.
Ricardo Montoya
Operations professional with experience scaling hardware production in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. Known for building lean, reliable supply chains across complex component networks.
Global Facilities
Headquarters & Engineering
Primary engineering campus, mission control, and corporate offices. 25,000 m² facility housing propulsion labs, avionics integration, and the main cleanroom.
Propulsion Test Complex
Engine test stands, propellant handling systems, and combustion research labs. Four test cells capable of testing engines up to 500 kN thrust.
Launch Operations
Primary launch site for polar and sun-synchronous orbit missions. Dedicated pad, integration hangar, and range safety infrastructure.
Satellite Integration
Satellite assembly, integration, and test facility. ISO Class 7 cleanroom for payload processing and spacecraft final assembly.
WORK WITH US
Whether you're a mission partner, investor, or future team member — we'd like to hear from you.