constelIr and Exolaunch have signed a multi-launch agreement (MLA) for the former’s high precision versatile ecosphere monitoring (HiVE) smallsat constellation.
The HiVE constellation is designed to provide advanced warning to AgTech companies of plant stress from temperature-induced evapotranspiration. This data enables farmers and the AgTech industry at large to achieve “more crop per drop,” minimizing water waste while maximizing crop output.
The first two operational and commercial satellites of the HiVE constellation are planned to launch to SSO in 2024. Both microsats feature constelIr’s state-of-the-art, cryocooled, long-wave infrared (LWIR) instruments, which are capable of mapping Earth’s land surface temperature with unprecedented precision. These missions mark the first time a cryocooled LWIR sensor will be deployed into space aboard a smallsat.
With a proven track of 18 successful missions and 269 satellites flown, constellr regards Exolaunch as the ideal launch partner to oversee the entire launch mission management, including integration and Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP). Exolaunch’s innovative separation system CarboNIX, flown on 11 missions so far with a record of 49 smallsats launched, guarantees low-shock separation and smooth orbit injection for both of constellr’s microsats.
“Our entire team is excited to move forward with the launch preparation activities and this multi-launch agreement marks a big milestone in our constellation development and deployment,” says Dr. Riccardo Benvenuto, HiVE Programme Director at constellr. “We couldn’t feel safer with Exolaunch as our partner. We already have a great relationship and given their expertise and long-track record of successful launches, we trust them to deploy our HiVE microsatellites smoothly and safely into orbit.”
“We are honored to be awarded a launch contract by constellr and assist a leader in a field as important to 21st century agriculture and society as global land surface temperature monitoring,” said Connor Pollock, Mission Director at Exolaunch. “Moreover, this MLA demonstrates the increasing synergy of the German NewSpace industry.”
