OrbitX

OrbitX, formally known as Orbital Exploration Technologies, Inc. and also referred to as Orbital Exploration, was a Philippine private aerospace and space-transportation venture established on June 2, 2019 under the initial name OrbX. It was founded by a group of young Philippine entrepreneurs and space enthusiasts, including Dexter Baño Jr., Enzo Victor, and Paulo Sairel. The company presented itself as the Philippines' first commercial spaceflight company and sought to develop domestic capabilities in rocket engineering, propulsion, launch services, and space-related research. OrbitX's near-term ambition was to develop what it described as the Philippines' first indigenous reusable rocket. Its longer-term vision was considerably more expansive: sending the first Filipino to Mars and returning that person safely to Earth. The company's principal launch-vehicle concept was the Haribon SLS-1, a planned rocket intended to place a payload of approximately 200 kilograms into low Earth orbit. OrbitX proposed developing key components internally, including the Tamaraw Rocket Engine and a proprietary fuel called OrbitX RP-2. The RP-2 concept was derived from pyrolysis-processed waste plastic and was named in reference to RP-1, the refined kerosene commonly used in rocket propulsion. The Haribon SLS-1 program remained in development rather than reaching an operational launch stage. In January 2021, OrbitX stated that the project had reached Technology Readiness Level 4, indicating that its components were being validated in a laboratory environment. The company had projected a first launch sometime between 2023 and 2024, but the available reference material does not document a completed maiden flight or an operational launch service. Fuel research was another important part of OrbitX's identity. In addition to its plastic-derived RP-2 concept, the company investigated algae as a possible biofuel source for small and large launch vehicles. OrbitX pointed to previous aviation use of algae-derived fuel as an indication of the broader feasibility of alternative biological fuels. These projects positioned the venture at the intersection of aerospace engineering, waste conversion, renewable energy, and climate-oriented technology. OrbitX also experimented with unconventional financing. In February 2021, it announced Orbital Coin, or ORBX, an in-house cryptocurrency intended to help fund rocket development. The token was developed with ProofSys.io, and OrbitX later announced an initial coin offering scheduled for July 20, 2021. Earlier fundraising included a crowdfunding campaign that attracted support from Southeast Asian firm Genix Ventures and private individuals. Amazon Web Services also provided two years of research funding totaling $6,500, according to the referenced account. The company maintained links with Philippine and international science, education, environmental, and space organizations. It shared research and development findings with the Philippine Space Agency while remaining an independent private venture. It also had partnerships or affiliations involving Space4Impact, Space Impulse, the Green Party of the Philippines, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. OrbitX's public presence later became less clear. Its website was reported to have been shut down in late 2023. The reference material states that, by 2026, a site associated with OrbitX existed as a blog, but it does not establish that the original aerospace company remained operational or that its planned vehicle entered production. OrbitX is therefore best characterized as a Philippine space-technology venture with ambitious launch and alternative-fuel programs whose documented operational status remains uncertain.

OrbitX was established in the Philippines on June 2, 2019, initially operating under the name OrbX. The venture was created by young founders including Dexter Baño Jr., Enzo Victor, and Paulo Sairel. It sought to establish a domestic commercial spaceflight capability and described itself as the Philippines' first commercial spaceflight company. Its public goals ranged from developing an indigenous reusable rocket to eventually supporting a Filipino human mission to Mars and back. The company's central engineering project was the Haribon SLS-1, a proposed launch vehicle designed to carry about 200 kilograms into low Earth orbit. OrbitX planned to develop important propulsion elements itself, including the Tamaraw Rocket Engine. It also proposed OrbitX RP-2, a fuel made from pyrolysis-processed waste plastic. The name was an allusion to RP-1, the refined kerosene used in many rocket systems. OrbitX additionally researched algae-derived biofuels for launch vehicles, linking its aerospace work with renewable-energy and waste-management concepts. By January 2021, OrbitX stated that Haribon SLS-1 development had entered Technology Readiness Level 4. The project components were still being tested and validated under laboratory conditions. The company projected a maiden launch in the 2023–2024 period, but the available source does not record a successful launch, a completed orbital mission, or the entry of Haribon SLS-1 into commercial service. OrbitX pursued several forms of external support. It launched a crowdfunding campaign that received backing from Genix Ventures, other Southeast Asian interests, and private individuals. Amazon Web Services provided two years of research support valued at $6,500. The venture also explored cryptocurrency financing. After teasing a digital currency in February 2021, it announced Orbital Coin, or ORBX, and later publicized a planned initial coin offering. ProofSys.io was identified as the development partner for the token. Although independent of the Philippine Space Agency, OrbitX communicated research and development findings to PhilSA. Its other reported affiliations included Space4Impact, Space Impulse, the Green Party of the Philippines, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. These relationships reflected the venture's broad focus on aerospace, education, environmental technology, and national space capability. The public record becomes less definitive after the early 2020s. OrbitX's website was reported to have been shut down in late 2023. A later reference describes an OrbitX site as a blog by 2026, but does not establish whether the original company continued its launch-vehicle or propulsion programs. No documented operational launch, completed Haribon SLS-1 vehicle, or confirmed corporate successor is identified in the available material. The company's present status should therefore be treated as uncertain.

• 2023

  Website goes offline

  [1]OrbitXen.wikipedia.org

  OrbitX's website was reported to have been shut down in late 2023.

• 2021

  Haribon SLS-1 reaches TRL 4

  [1]OrbitXen.wikipedia.org

  OrbitX reported that the Haribon SLS-1 program had reached Technology Readiness Level 4, with components undergoing laboratory validation.

• 2021

  Orbital Coin is announced

  [1]OrbitXen.wikipedia.org

  OrbitX introduced its proposed ORBX cryptocurrency as a potential funding mechanism for rocket development.

• 2021

  Planned ORBX initial coin offering

  [1]OrbitXen.wikipedia.org

  The company announced an initial coin offering scheduled for July 20, 2021.

• 2019

  OrbitX is established as OrbX

  [1]OrbitXen.wikipedia.org

  The Philippine venture was founded on June 2, 2019, initially using the name OrbX.

A Philippine indigenous-space venture combining commercial launch-vehicle development with experimental propulsion, waste-derived fuel research, and technology-focused crowdfunding.

• Orbital launch vehicle

  Haribon SLS-1

  Haribon SLS-1 was OrbitX's proposed flagship launch vehicle and was intended to provide an indigenous Philippine path to orbital spaceflight. The planned rocket was projected to carry approximately 200 kilograms into low Earth orbit. OrbitX intended to use internally developed propulsion components, including the Tamaraw Rocket Engine, and projected a first launch between 2023 and 2024. Development reached laboratory validation at Technology Readiness Level 4 in January 2021, but no completed orbital launch is documented in the available reference.

• Rocket engine

  Tamaraw Rocket Engine

  The Tamaraw Rocket Engine was a planned propulsion system for the Haribon SLS-1. OrbitX presented it as one of the major components it intended to develop internally as part of an indigenous Philippine launch system. The available material does not specify its final architecture, thrust, propellant cycle, or flight history.

• Rocket fuel

  OrbitX RP-2

  OrbitX RP-2 was a proposed proprietary fuel derived from waste plastic processed through pyrolysis. Its name referenced RP-1, a refined kerosene commonly used in rocket propulsion. The project formed part of OrbitX's effort to combine launch technology with waste conversion and alternative-fuel research. The reference material does not confirm operational use in a flight vehicle.

• Cryptocurrency · 2021

  Orbital Coin (ORBX)

  Orbital Coin, or ORBX, was an in-house cryptocurrency proposed by OrbitX as a way to help finance rocket development. OrbitX announced the project in February 2021 and later publicized a planned initial coin offering. ProofSys.io was identified as the development partner. The available material does not establish the token's eventual commercial performance or continuing availability.

• OrbitX crowdfunding campaign

  Philippines · Southeast Asia

  OrbitX used crowdfunding to seek support for its spaceflight and rocket-development ambitions. The campaign reportedly attracted backing from Genix Ventures and private individuals in addition to other Southeast Asian support.

  Outcome. The campaign provided reported early support, but the available reference does not state the total amount raised or whether it financed a completed launch vehicle.

  Source

• 2021

  Launch of the Orbital Coin financing initiativeProduct launch

  Background

  OrbitX was seeking funding for its rocket-development program while continuing work on the Haribon SLS-1.

  Action taken

  The company announced ORBX, an in-house cryptocurrency developed with ProofSys.io, and planned an initial coin offering.

  Aftermath

  The available material records the announcement and planned offering but does not confirm the offering's financial results or long-term continuation.

  Source

• 2021

  Haribon SLS-1 enters laboratory validationGeneration change

  Background

  OrbitX was developing a proposed indigenous reusable launch vehicle for low-Earth-orbit missions.

  Action taken

  The company reported moving the Haribon SLS-1 project to Technology Readiness Level 4, with components being validated in laboratory conditions.

  Aftermath

  OrbitX projected a maiden launch in 2023–2024, but no completed launch is documented in the available source.

  Source

• 2023

  OrbitX website reportedly shuts down[1]OrbitXen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The company's website was reported to have gone offline in late 2023. Later reference material describes an OrbitX-associated site as a blog, but does not confirm continued aerospace operations.

• 2021

  OrbitX reaches laboratory validation stage for Haribon SLS-1 components[1]OrbitXen.wikipedia.org

  Product generation

  OrbitX reported that development of its Haribon SLS-1 launch vehicle had reached Technology Readiness Level 4, with components undergoing validation in a laboratory environment.

• 2021

  OrbitX announces Orbital Coin cryptocurrency[1]OrbitXen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  OrbitX announced ORBX, an in-house cryptocurrency intended to support financing for its rocket-development activities.

• 2021

  OrbitX announces planned initial coin offering for ORBX[1]OrbitXen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The company announced an initial coin offering for Orbital Coin, with the offering scheduled for July 20, 2021.

1. 1OrbitXen.wikipedia.org