NewSpace AtlasSearch

NewOrbit Space

UK startup building satellites that fly at 180 to 300 km, far lower than normal, using an engine that breathes the thin upper atmosphere to stay up. Lower orbits mean sharper images and faster links.

Products, by altitude

Low Earth orbit · 160–2,000 km

  • Testing

    AURA

    Engine using thin air as fuel for very low satellites

  • In development

    NEO-1

    Satellite that flies very low for years by breathing air

Known rounds

DateRoundAmountLed by
Jun 2026Series A$18.5MVoyager Ventures⁠1
Apr 2024Seed$7.5MYes VC⁠2

Milestones

  • Sep 2026 NewOrbit booked a Q3 2028 launch slot for NEO-1, its first customer mission, through the European launch broker RIDE!. Company statement⁠3
  • May 2026 NewOrbit won a EUR 400,000 ESA General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) contract to bring its propulsion system to launch readiness. Company statement⁠4

Sources

  1. NewOrbit Space press releaseJun 8, 2026
  2. NewOrbit Space press releaseApr 1, 2024
  3. NewOrbit SpaceSep 10, 2026
  4. NewOrbit SpaceMay 20, 2026

Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction