Exolaunch-SpaceX Partnership Integrates Small Sats for First Dedicated Rideshare Launch

Exolaunch has initiated its launch campaign that will integrate 30 small satellites from the U.S. and Europe aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rideshare mission, Exolaunch reported on Tuesday. The launch is scheduled for no earlier than January 2021. 

“Through our partnership with SpaceX, Exolaunch has become the bridge for multiple European smallsat developers and others from around the world interested to launch on Falcon 9,” said Jeanne Medvedeva, vice president of launch services at Exolaunch.

The effort is first of several rideshares Exolaunch is manifesting on Falcon 9 under the multi-launch agreement Exolaunch signed with SpaceX earlier this year. It is also the first dedicated rideshare mission of SpaceX’s SmallSat Rideshare Program.

“As the SpaceX’s SmallSat Rideshare Program takes off and expands, more organizations will have the opportunity to launch their satellites into orbit though our tailored, flight-proven, and cost-effective launch and deployment solutions,” Medvedeva added. 

Exolaunch will provide rideshare mission management, deployment and satellite integration services. Satellites from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Dresden Technical University, NanoAvionics and others will be part of Exolaunch’s manifest on the mission. 

Exolaunch will use its EXOport multi-satellite adapter to provide accommodation of microsats and nanosats on the Falcon 9 ESPA ports. The company will also leverage its CarboNIX, the next generation shock-free separation system for microsatellites. 

“The team at Exolaunch extends its gratitude to all customers for their loyalty and trust in Exolaunch’s services and wishes to thank SpaceX for their excellent launch preparations. We look forward to the upcoming successful launch opening up a new chapter in rideshare missions,” Medvedeva concluded.