Australian-listed satellite communications company, Sky and Space Global, has done a deal with Virgin Galactic to launch multiple nano-satellites into space from 2018 onwards.
The two companies have just signed a binding launch services agreement for four dedicated missions on the Virgin Galactic LauncherOne system for the deployment of the initial Equatorial constellation satellites from 2018.
LauncherOne is Virgin Galactic’s orbital launch vehicle, dedicated to the small satellite market and Sky and Space Global (ASX:SAS) plans to predominately use LauncherOne to launch its Equatorial constellation of nano-satellites.
The ASX-listed Sky and Space Global wholly owns Sky and Space Global (UK), a UK incorporated company with European and Israeli centres of Aerospace, Satellite and Software Industry experts.
{loadposition peter}Under the terms of the launch services agreement between Sky and Space Global and Virgin Galactica, each of the four launches purchased will carry multiple nano-satellites, which will allow Sky and Space Global to rapidly establish its full constellation of up 200 nano-satellites and provide equatorial band communications infrastructure.
Sky and Space Global’s flights are the first LauncherOne missions to be announced that are planned to fly from low latitudes, which the company says allows it to maximise the amount of payload delivered to a low inclination orbit.
In a statement to the ASX, Sky and Space Global says its full constellation of nano-satellites, has enormous value creation potential for investors and “will be able to provide communications infrastructure to billions of people globally who are currently without access to adequate communications services”.
“We are thrilled to partner with Virgin Galactic on our exciting missions and LauncherOne’s first low inclination launches,” said Sky and Space Global CEO Meir Moalem.
“Our partnership with Virgin Galactic will allow us to rapidly establish our full constellation of up to 200 nano-satellites that will provide equatorial narrowband communications infrastructure for billions of people globally.
"With our Company now having purchased four dedicated missions upon LauncherOne, this is yet another step in our exciting journey towards our 2020 vision. Just as we value purposeful innovation and customer service, Virgin Galactic shares our values and our vision for how communication can fundamentally improve lives. We have an ideal partner in Virgin Galactic’s LauncherOne and are excited to work together to change the world for good.”