Orbital Exploration Technologies (OrbitX) is the first commercial spaceflight company in the Philippines developing a rocket to be powered by renewable rocket fuels derived from waste products like plastics. The company is also bringing space tech of other forms to other industries such as agriculture, fisheries and transportation. OrbitX aims to provide space access to developing countries, and global startups, in the most sustainable manner possible. 

Founded in 2019 in Quezon City, The Philippines, by Founder, Chairman and President Dexter P. Baño Jr, OrbitX draws on the diverse talent of Filipino engineers from various universities.  The OrbitX Spaceshot team was formed to focus on bringing Filipinos to space using world class methodologies for sustainable energy production for future space exploration.

 

From Polymers to a Pilot Program: Fuel for the Future

Developed inside an engineering university, OrbitX takes pride in its development of RP-2 (or renewable RP-1 — which is also known as “rocket propellant-1” or “refined petroleum-1”) which is being used heavily by the spaceflight industry. RP-1 is a highly refined form of kerosene outwardly similar to jet fuel, used as rocket fuel. 

OrbitX’s RP-2 is derived from plastics. The company’s OrbitX Diesel will be a renewable fuel option similar to petrodiesel which is currently being used by most engines.

In addition to the alternative fuel from plastics, the space startup team, led by OrbitX’s Chief Researcher, Joshua Naungayan, has partnered with Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Santa Mesa, to research a way to extract methane rocket fuel from algae. “OrbitX Methane” intends to be the largest algae research of its kind in the world.

OrbitX’s efforts are meant to not only provide a cleaner and more efficient fuel for it’s rockets, but simultaneously solve the global trash crisis with its byproducts. 

 

To Infinity and Beyond!

Baño and his team are developing the Haribon SLS rocket which will be powered by biofuels — derived from wastes like low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastics. The startup team has named this renewable rocket fuel, “OrbitX RP-2” derived from the traditional RP-1 fuel currently on market today.

Baño hopes that his Haribon SLS will become the default mode of space exploration, providing  a cheaper, greener and a more highly sustainable launcher for satellites and other payloads. As the company continues to develop its fleet of rockets, it one day hopes to further offer space tourism — by bringing humans into low-orbit space, and work to solve the ever-growing space junk problem — which NASA estimates there are some 21,000 pieces of space junk larger than a softball orbiting the Earth and 500,000 pieces of debris the size of a marble or larger.

OrbitX’s Haribon SLS is anticipated to carry a payload of approximately 200 kilograms (nearly a half ton) into Low Earth Orbit. Currently, Haribon SLS is in Technology Readiness Level 4 — which means the OrbitX’s technology is currently being developed in the laboratory. 

 

OrbitX and LOT Network: Valuing Innovation and Protection

In early 2021, Baño and his legal team were researching the best organization for intellectual property and patent protections from around the world, and found LOT Network. Simultaneously, they were introduced to LOT by the International Trade Council. They knew all roads were leading them to join. 

Baño shared thoughts on why his company became a member of LOT Network: “We value intellectual property. It is an intangible asset that we should protect — an asset that is difficult to earn and very easy to lose. Our membership in LOT Network ensures that our company  and our future patents are protected from the threat of unfounded claims of infringement — whether here in our founding country or abroad as we expand our operations. We believe we are setting ourselves to be a prime example for other future Filipino space tech and deep tech companies.”

OrbitX joined LOT Network in 2021 to ensure that their own innovations and technology were protected should any of their patents fall into the hands of a PAE. Their membership also aligns them with many of the world’s leading innovative companies — many of whom are also solving the world’s problems. 

Baño and his team feel confident that the research, development, and subsequent patents and IP they develop will be protected as will their vendors and customers going forward through their membership in LOT.

 

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Want your name sent to the stars? Donors who contribute $20 USD will have their name (or the name of a loved one) in the company’s rocket memory storage when it goes to flight. Additionally, as a special token of appreciation, the company will also send a space ticket to the donor and engraved the same name on the Haribon SLS. For more information visit: https://www.orbitx.technology/fund-our-bird.