Oryx
A planned fully reusable two-stage methane rocket whose upper stage is a spaceship that returns to Earth. LEAP 71's spec sheet lists up to 15 tonnes to low Earth orbit when expended and 3 tonnes with both stages recovered, with a debut targeted for 2030.
Why it matters
The UAE has satellites and astronauts but no rocket of its own. A domestic reusable heavy launcher would give the Gulf region independent access to orbit and a way to bring cargo back from space.
How the technology works
The booster uses five 1,000 kN methane and liquid oxygen engines and the orbital stage five 200 kN engines. LEAP 71 is contracted for the upper-stage engines in conventional and aerospike versions.
The upper stage can return up to 3 tonnes of cargo. Aspire's site describes launch sites in the UAE and Kazakhstan, and its CEO told Payload the program would cost more than $1 billion.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction