Exolaunch Signs Ride Share Agreement With SpaceX
Exolaunch is a German-based rideshare smallsat launch, deployment and separator system provider and has just signed an agreement with SpaceX as part of their SmallSat rideshare program. The SpaceX program allows smaller satellite developers and aggregators to deploy with larger launch providers promising cost effectiveness with the certainty of set launch schedules.
Dedicated rideshare missions allow smallsat providers to launch with a primary payload negating the need to wait for excess capacity to become available and benefits the primary launcher by maximizing the utilization of the launch vehicle. Exolaunch promises its customers (which they plan to announce in the coming weeks) a trip on top of a Falcon 9 rocket utilizing their EXOport, a flexible multi-port adaptor able to accommodate multiple payloads through this proprietary separation system to sun-synchronous orbit set for December 2020.
There is a demand within the space industry for rideshare. The recognition of many organizations seeking access to space with the benefit of cost control and having an expectation of launch timing is mission critical for their customers. A ride to sun-synch orbit, scheduled and on budget helps these service providers routine access to their customers.
Rocket Lab has always touted their services for smallsat needs while citing the larger providers “bus stop” analogy of providers just hitching a ride with a larger primary payload. Rocket Lab offers dedicated, tailored services to their smallsat customers. Rocket Lab also continues work on the recovery and reuse of it’s Electron booster stage. The recovery and rescue/repurpose is targeted for later this year.
