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Soaring demand for Orbex internships by 120%, signaling a surge of interest in Scotland's burgeoning space industry

Semi-Competitive Demand for Space Tech Internships in Scotland: Orbex, a local orbital launch company, notes an surge of 120% in internship applications this year. This surge mirrors a rising student interest in becoming part of Orbex, as they strive towards space launches. The internship...

Increased interest in Scotland's space industry: Orbex witnesses a 120% surge in internship...
Increased interest in Scotland's space industry: Orbex witnesses a 120% surge in internship applications

Soaring demand for Orbex internships by 120%, signaling a surge of interest in Scotland's burgeoning space industry

The UK space sector is experiencing a surge in interest, as evidenced by the high number of applications for the Orbex Internship Programme. This year, the programme received over 2,000 applications, a 120% increase from the previous year.

Orbex Space, a UK-based launch services company, is at the forefront of this growth. The company is developing the innovative, lightweight, and reusable Prime orbital space rocket, which was unveiled recently. Orbex has publicly displayed the Prime rocket on its dedicated launch pad, making the UK the first European nation to reveal such a launcher.

The Prime rocket is claimed to be the world's greenest rocket, a testament to Orbex's commitment to sustainable space exploration. This eco-friendly focus aligns with the UK government's strategic efforts to solidify the UK as a European leader in the space sector.

In addition to the Prime rocket development, Orbex is hiring an additional fifty staff members over the next six months. These new recruits will likely support 'integrated' roles in the final stages of rocket launch preparations.

The Orbex Internship Programme is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students with experience in mathematics, mechanical engineering, electronics engineering, space, or aerospace. The Mechanical Engineering internship at Orbex received 500 applications alone, reflecting the high demand for careers in the space sector.

Nine lucky applicants will be offered the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in roles spanning diverse areas of Orbex's business. Universities and technical institutes with strong programs in these fields, such as Imperial College London, Technical University of Munich, and Delft University of Technology, have had students applying for internships at Orbex.

Matt Archer, Director of Launch at the UK Space Agency, praised the strong interest in Orbex's internship programme. Ishbel Inkster, Chief People Officer at Orbex, also commented on the high interest, stating that it's a testament to the company's exciting projects and the UK Space Agency's view of Orbex as playing a key role in developing the skills and talent of the future.

The UK government, under conservative leadership, has invested £20 million in Orbex Space, setting the UK on track to launch its first UK-built, UK-launched orbital rocket, Prime, from its soil. This milestone will mark a significant step forward for the UK in the space sector.

The surge in applications for the Orbex Internship Programme and the UK's development of the Prime rocket indicate a growing interest in careers in the space sector. As Orbex continues to hire and develop its Prime rocket, the space sector in the UK is poised for continued growth and innovation. Applications for the Orbex Internship Programme have closed for this year, but interested students are encouraged to keep an eye out for future opportunities.

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