Rideshare for satellites: Exolaunch inks multi-million-dollar deal with SpaceX
The deal, which covers two years worth of transporter missions, will see Exolaunch’s customer satellites ferried into space by SpaceX rockets.
Over 95 per cent of Exolaunch’s 3,000kg capacity on the SpaceX missions next year are already booked up – signalling the increasing demand from satellite firms, as it has proven to be more cost effective for smaller start-ups.
London-based start-up SatelliteVu told City PM last week that it too has plans to use a SpaceX rocket to launch one of its infrared, heat imaging satellites next October.
Though Exolaunch’s next SpaceX satellite rideshare mission is scheduled to launch around January next year, from Florida’s Cape Canaveral.
“The global demand for more commercial missions and space-based applications is growing significantly,” Exolaunch CEO Chris Hearsey said.
“SpaceX is an excellent launch provider and their rideshare program is a great way to address smallsat operator’s urgent need for more launches at lower cost.”
An exact figure has yet to be put on the deal.