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Pangea Selects Aurora for Aerospike Engine Avionics

Pangea Selects Aurora Avionics for Aerospike Engine Program
Scotland-based startup Aurora Avionics has secured a £525,000 (US$712,000) contract to supply avionics systems for the Arcos aerospike engine developed by Spanish propulsion company Pangea. This agreement represents a significant milestone for both firms as they work to advance reusable rocket technology within Europe’s burgeoning space sector.
Advancing Aerospike Engine Technology
Aerospike engines, originally studied in the 1950s, feature inverted bell-shaped nozzles that automatically adjust exhaust flow in response to external atmospheric pressure. This design enables greater efficiency across a range of altitudes compared to conventional rocket engines, which are typically optimized for specific atmospheric conditions. Despite decades of research and experimental testing, aerospike engines have yet to achieve operational maturity, hindered by high production costs and manufacturing complexities.
Pangea Propulsion marked a key achievement in 2021 by becoming the first company to successfully fire an aerospike engine using sustainable methane and oxygen propellants with its Arcos model. The company now aims to develop Arcos into the first flight-ready, reusable aerospike engine. In addition, Pangea is collaborating with the European Space Agency on in-space propulsion systems, further positioning itself at the forefront of innovative rocket technology.
Aurora Avionics’ Role and Industry Implications
Founded in 2023 and headquartered at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, Aurora Avionics specializes in modular commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) avionics systems designed for rockets and robotics operating in extreme environments. The company, employing ten staff members, was established by aerospace engineers Oren Smith-Carpenter and Rowland Fraser, both formerly associated with launch vehicle firm Orbex.
Pangea’s CEO, Adrià Argemí, emphasized Aurora’s customer-centric approach and expertise in NewSpace technology as decisive factors in the selection process. He stated, “Europe needs companies to join forces to accelerate access to space and stay competitive — agreements like this are how we make it happen. We are already enjoying working with the team and expect this contract to be the start of a long collaboration.”
Aurora’s CEO, Oren Smith-Carpenter, described the partnership as a major opportunity for both companies. “We have wanted to work with the Pangea Propulsion team since founding Aurora Avionics two years ago. They are a world-leading space company and are doing groundbreaking work. We think the combination of two ambitious, agile organisations will be a large step forward for European space.”
Despite the optimism, the collaboration faces potential challenges, including the integration of Aurora’s avionics with Pangea’s existing systems and possible delays in technology adoption. The partnership is also expected to attract increased scrutiny of Aurora’s technical capabilities and financial performance as it assumes a high-profile role in the competitive small launch sector. Industry analysts anticipate that rival avionics providers may respond by enhancing their own technologies or forming new alliances to maintain market share.
Myles Bax, commercial lead at Aurora Avionics, described the contract as “a real inflection point” for the company. He credited the vision of founders Oren Smith-Carpenter and CTO Rowland Fraser for positioning Aurora to secure significant contracts with leading players in the small launch industry.
As the European space industry continues to evolve, the collaboration between Pangea and Aurora underscores the growing importance of strategic partnerships and innovation in driving the development of next-generation launch technologies.

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