MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., - Spire Global and Exolaunch have closed a new contract for a multi-launch agreement (MLA). Through this MLA, Spire gains regular access to space for its own satellite constellation as well as for all of its customers to enhance Spire’s “space-as-a-service" offerings.
The first Spire satellites deployed as part of this agreement are already manifested on SpaceX’s Transporter missions this year under Exolaunch’s long-term launch arrangements with SpaceX. Exolaunch will also be providing Spire with deployment and integration services on small launchers.
In addition to Exolaunch’s launch solutions, the contract also includes the EXOpod Nova, the next generation EXOpod deployer based on Spire specifications for an expanded-envelope 3U cubesat. This deployer will enable Spire to build larger, heavier, and more capable cubesats while keeping their launch costs low. Nova is designed to deploy batches of Spire’s satellites for its constellation.
The EXOpod Nova increases the allowable satellite mass by up to 30 percent and the available side panel volume by a factor of four compared to traditional cubesat deployers. Exolaunch aims to further use the EXOpod Nova on its Reliant orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) next year to provide launch flexibility to cubesat constellations.
