Tag: Spaceflight Inc.

Spaceflight Awarded First GSA Schedule Contract for Satellite Launch Services

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spaceflight_logoU.S. government agencies can now easily order CubeSat or MicroSat launches online, complete with pre-approved launch prices and a streamlined process

SEATTLE – February 10, 2016 – Spaceflight, the company reinventing the model for launching satellites into space, today announced it is the first launch services provider to be awarded the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Professional Services Schedule (00CORP). As a recipient of the contract, Spaceflight provides its services to federal agencies at a pre-negotiated fixed rate, enabling them to quickly and easily secure small satellite launch contracts completely online. This in turn reduces administrative costs and overhead and potentially increases how frequently the agencies access space.

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DARPA Proposes $127 Million in Space Spending

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XS-1 entry (Credit: Northrop Grumman)
XS-1 entry (Credit: Northrop Grumman)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has proposed spending $126.7 million on 10 space programs in FY 2016, including two initiatives designed to radically reduce the cost of launching payloads into space and a number of programs focused on in-orbit satellite servicing.

The budget is $53.2 million less than the $179.9 million will spend in the current fiscal year. While three programs would see major reductions in funding, DARPA would also start three new programs, including one focused on advanced propulsion technologies. (more…)

Spaceflight Inc. to Launch NovaWurk’s Innovative Satlet for DARPA

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SHERPA (Credit: Spaceflight Inc.)
SHERPA (Spaceflight Inc.)

By Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

DARPA’s ambitious Phoenix program, which aims to transform the way satellites are built and operated, will get an orbital test next year in a satellite launch that will combine the efforts of two up and coming NewSpace companies.

NovaWurks, of Los Alaimos, Calif., has signed an agreement with Spaceflight Inc., of Seattle, to launch the eXCITe spacecraft during the third quarter of 2015. NovaWurks’ tiny “satlet” will be part of approximately 2,650 lbs. (1,200 kg.) of other rideshare spacecraft that will aboard Spaceflight’s SHERPA in-space transportation platform.

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Spaceflight Partners With Japanese to Launch 8 CubeSats

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spaceflight_logoSEATTLE, Nov. 4, 2014 (Spaceflight PR) — Spaceflight Inc., the company reinventing the model for launching small satellites into space, and Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS), today announced a cooperative launch service agreement to integrate and deploy CubeSats from the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Astro-H mission. The Spaceflight and JAMSS commercial partnership has enabled U.S. commercial CubeSat customers to launch on an H-IIA launch vehicle for the first time.

“We are very excited to provide additional small-satellite launch opportunities on the H-IIA vehicle and work with JAMSS to continue to commercialize low Earth orbit,” said Curt Blake, president of Spaceflight. “JAMSS has been a tremendous partner providing key insight on how to successfully integrate and launch small satellites with JAXA, and we look forward to this mission and future collaboration.”

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Spaceflight Inc. Announces Small Satellite Data Communications Network

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spaceflight_logoSpaceflight to become first and only company to offer both rideshare launch services for free-flying spacecraft and ground-station communications in one bundled service

SEATTLE, July 30, 2014 – Spaceflight Inc., the space logistics company reinventing the model for launching small satellites, today announced it is expanding its services to include Spaceflight Networks, a business dedicated to cost-effective spacecraft communications and operations for small-satellite customers. The expansion will make Spaceflight the first and only company dedicated to providing a bundled package of small-satellite communications and data services along with its existing rideshare launch services.

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OmniEarth Signs MOU With Spaceflight Inc. for Launch Services

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spaceflight_logoARLINGTON, Va., Jul 21, 2014 (OmniEarth PR) — OmniEarth LLC has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Spaceflight Inc. for rideshare launch services related to its planned constellation of up to 18 satellites.

Under the agreement, Spaceflight Inc. will identify launch opportunities and provide associated pre-launch support to OmniEarth. Spaceflight has strong partnerships with prominent launch vehicle providers, such as SpaceX, Orbital Sciences, Roscosmos, and Virgin Galactic, and is well-suited to facilitate launch accommodations for OmniEarth.

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Spaceflight, NanoRacks Partnership Launches Planet Labs Satellites

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Two of the 28 Planet Labs Dove satellites that make up the Flock 1 constellation are seen launching into orbit from the International Space Station on Feb. 11. (Credit: NASA)
Two of the 28 Planet Labs Dove satellites that make up the Flock 1 constellation are seen launching into orbit from the International Space Station on Feb. 11. (Credit: NASA)

SEATTLE (Spaceflight Inc. PR) – Spaceflight Inc. and NanoRacks announced today that an additional 28 Planet Labs Dove CubeSats are en route to the International Space Station on the Orbital Sciences Cygnus Orb-2 Mission. The satellites were manifest via the NanoRacks Space Act Agreement with NASA, and are scheduled for deployment using the self-funded NanoRacks’ CubeSat Deployers manufactured by Quad-M Inc.

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DLR Signs Launch Services Agreement with Spaceflight Inc.

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Eu:CROPIS spacecraft (Credit: DLR)
Eu:CROPIS spacecraft (Credit: DLR)

SEATTLE, July 8, 2014 (Spaceflight Inc. PR) — Spaceflight Inc., the company reinventing the model for launching small satellites into space, today announced it has signed the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to a launch services agreement for the Eu:CROPIS mission. The Eu:CROPIS spacecraft is scheduled for a rideshare launch on a Spaceflight SHERPA vehicle in 2017.

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Spaceflight Inc. Deploys 11 Planet Labs Dove Satellites

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Two of the 28 Planet Labs Dove satellites that make up the Flock 1 constellation are seen launching into orbit from the International Space Station on Feb. 11. (Credit: NASA)
Two of the 28 Planet Labs Dove satellites that make up the Flock 1 constellation are seen launching into orbit from the International Space Station on Feb. 11. (Credit: NASA)

SEATTLE (Spaceflight Inc. PR) -– Spaceflight Inc., the company reinventing the model for launching small satellites into space, announces that it has successfully deployed 11 Planet Labs Dove earth-imaging spacecraft from an International Space Company (ISC) Kosmotras-operated Dnepr launch vehicle.

“SmallSat constellations are a critical, growing piece of the space economy,” said Curt Blake, president of Spaceflight. “We are thrilled to expand our launch heritage with Planet Labs and ISC Kosmotras to enable the cost-effective and timely launch of small satellites.”

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Spaceflight Inc. Announces SHERPA Contract to Deploy 1,200 Kilos of Small Satellite Payloads

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SHERPA space tug. (Credit: Spaceflight, Inc.)
SHERPA space tug. (Credit: Spaceflight, Inc.)

SEATTLE, April 30, 2014 – Spaceflight Inc., the company reinventing the model for launching small satellites into space, today announced it has secured a launch service agreement to orbit its “SHERPA” hosted payload and in-space transportation system. Spaceflight’s inaugural SHERPA mission will deploy up to 1,200 kilograms of customer satellite payloads into low Earth orbit during the second half of 2015 on an undisclosed launch vehicle.

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Spaceflight, NanoRacks Team Up on CubeSat Launches

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cubesatSEATTLE, WA, Jan. 9, 2014 (Spaceflight/NanoRacks PR) — Spaceflight and NanoRacks announced today that multiple CubeSats are en route to the International Space Station on the Orbital Sciences Cygnus Orb-1 Mission made possible by close cooperation between the two companies. The satellites were manifest via the NanoRacks Space Act Agreement with NASA, and are scheduled for deployment using the self-funded NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer.

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Space Angels Network Receives Sponsorship From Spaceflight Inc.

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space_angels_logo
Seattle, Washington, December 11, 2013 (Spaceflight PR) – Space Angels Network has announced a sponsorship from Spaceflight Inc. (Spaceflight). Under this sponsorship Spaceflight will work with Space Angels Network applicant and portfolio companies and provide free launch services consultation as a way to foster new small-satellite start-ups. Additionally, Spaceflight will be the preferred service provider for the orbital launch of small payloads.

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Spaceflight Inc. Successfully Deploys Planet Labs’ Dove 3 Satellite

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Dnepr launch vehicle. (Credit: ISC Kosmotras)
Dnepr launch vehicle. (Credit: ISC Kosmotras)

Seattle, WA (Spaceflight, Inc. PR) — Spaceflight, Inc. – The Space Logistics Company – announced today that it successfully deployed the Dove 3 earth imaging spacecraft from an International Space Company (ISC) Kosmotras operated Dnepr launch vehicle for commercial customer Planet Labs, Inc..

After launching Dove 1 and 2 in April 2013, Spaceflight arranged for the launch of Dove 3 as a secondary payload through Spaceflight’s launch and integration partner Innovative Space Logistics (ISL), an Innovative Solutions in Space (ISIS) subsidiary. Using its expertise in navigating ITAR and export law, Spaceflight arranged for the United States payload to be exported to Russia for launch integration.

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Spaceflight, NanoRacks Team to Lauch Spacecraft From ISS

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cubesatNovember 4th, 2013, Seattle, WA  (Spaceflight/NanoRacks PR) — Spaceflight Inc. (Spaceflight), a leading provider of launch services for small and secondary payloads, and NanoRacks LLC (NanoRacks), a leader in commercializing space operations on and deployment from the International Space Station, formally announce a partnership to provide commercial launch services from the International Space Station (ISS).

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Lockheed Martin Selects CubeSat Integrators for Athena Launches

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Athena rocket
Athena rocket

DENVER, Aug. 14, 2013 (Lockheed Martin PR) – Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has chosen three world-class companies to provide CubeSat integration for Athena launch services. Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems LLC of Irvine, Calif., TriSept Corporation of Chantilly, Va., and Spaceflight, Inc. of Tukwila, Wash. will provide turnkey CubeSat integration services for multi-payload and RideShare missions using Athena launch services beginning in 2015.

“We are very pleased to offer this significant enhancement for CubeSat customers using Athena launch services that leverage the proven expertise of these three companies to provide comprehensive, affordable, one-stop integration and launch services to customers worldwide,” said Robert R. Cleave, president of Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services. “Working together, we are providing customers with efficient and affordable payload integration bundled with the launch service for the expanding range of CubeSat missions.”

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