Exolaunch has signed a long-term launch agreement with SpaceX to secure Falcon 9 capacity for launching smallsats as part of SpaceX’s SmallSat Rideshare Program.
Under the agreement, Exolaunch manifests multiple microsatellites and cubesats on Falcon 9 rideshare missions to a sun-synchronous orbit throughout 2020 – 2021.
Exolaunch is accommodating 30 smallsats on the first SpaceX dedicated rideshare mission scheduled for launch this December and is gearing up for its launch campaign next month at the SpaceX launch facility at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Additionally, Exolaunch is planning to open an office in the U.S. to provide more flexible launch and deployment services to its growing list of stateside customers.
For the December mission, Exolaunch will provide comprehensive rideshare mission management, deployment and integration services for 30 satellites for its U.S. and European customers. Some of the core customers who signed up for launches through Exolaunch’s services include Loft Orbital, Swarm Technologies, NanoAvionics, German Aerospace Center (DLR), German universities and other commercial constellation customers.
On each Falcon 9 mission, Exolaunch will use their brand-new product, the EXOport, which is a flexible, multi-port adapter designed to enable optimal accommodation of microsats and cubesats. The company will also use their proprietary, flight-proven, separation systems – CarboNIX — the next generation shock-free separation system for smallsats, with upgraded modifications of the firm’s EXOpod cubesat deployers and EXObox sequencers to deploy customers’ satellites into their target orbit.
To date, Exolaunch has successfully arranged launch campaigns for more than 100 smallsats. This summer, Exolaunch also delivered its CarboNIX separation systems to deploy six SkySat microsatellites for Planet, successfully launched on two SpaceX’s Starlink missions onboard Falcon 9.
Executive Comments
“The SpaceX program is a game-changer for the rideshare launch industry giving new impetus for numerous constellations of small satellites. Teaming up with SpaceX, we are able to offer our customers seamless, reliable, and cost-effective launch solutions and expand access to space,” said Jeanne Medvedeva, VP of Launch Services at Exolaunch. “Our first mission with Falcon 9 later this year will set the precedent for our rideshares going forward, and we are delighted to extend partnership with SpaceX.”
Exolaunch’s Program Manager, Connor Jonas, added, “As we continue to sign on more U.S.-based customers, it makes sense strategically for Exolaunch to establish an additional office in the U.S. At this new location, we will set up a team of rideshare launch and deployment service experts who will be perfectly equipped to serve our customers and prospects in the states now and downstream.”
