LEAP 71 and Aspire Space to develop Oryx reusable rocketship

Aspire Space, a UAE-based space launch company, and LEAP 71, a Dubai-based pioneer in computational engineering for space propulsion, have signed a formal agreement to collaborate on the development of the Oryx reusable rocketship.

Oryx is a fully reusable, orbital-class launch vehicle designed to deliver up to 15 tons of cargo to low Earth orbit (3 tons in fully reusable mode). Both its booster and upper stage are engineered for rapid reusability – returning to Earth after each mission for quick turnaround and relaunch.

Building on their ongoing cooperation, Aspire Space is now contracting LEAP 71 to develop the rocket engines powering the Oryx’s second stage. Each engine will produce 20 tons (200 kN) of thrust, and the partners are pursuing two parallel propulsion paths: a conventional engine and a novel aerospike configuration.

The aerospike concept, long studied but never flown, offers superior efficiency across both atmospheric and vacuum flight regimes – making it particularly well suited for reusable launch systems. LEAP 71 gained international recognition in December 2024 for successfully testing a 5 kN aerospike engine, validating key aspects of its design.

Both Aspire Space and LEAP 71 are proud members of the UAE Space Agency’s Space Economic Zones Program, an integrated program designed to foster innovation, investment, and commercial growth across the space sector. Through this program, the two companies are contributing to the UAE’s vision of building a globally competitive and sustainable space economy.

This collaboration marks a major step toward establishing a sovereign UAE orbital launch capability, powered by advanced propulsion technologies developed domestically.