Spaceflight Inc., the leading global launch services provider, is preparing for its 50th mission, which will launch aboard a Rocket Lab Electron no earlier than April 22. The RL-9 mission, called “There and Back Again,” is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. Following this launch, Spaceflight will have successfully launched 448 spacecraft across 50 missions across a global network of launch vehicles.
“Our 50th launch represents our persistent innovation and commitment to our customers’ success over the last decade,” said Curt Blake, CEO and president of Spaceflight. “Throughout the years, we’ve continued to provide reliable and flexible launch and in-space transportation services, pioneering rideshare solutions and expanding mission opportunities to our customers. 2022 is set to be a monumental year for Spaceflight and we are thrilled to execute more groundbreaking missions on behalf of our customers.”
Spaceflight has already had a busy year with notable wins, having launched 32 payloads across five missions, including its first launch with Astra in March. Also earlier this year, NASA selected Spaceflight to provide launch services for the agency’s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) missions. The company also signed a multi-launch agreement with long-time IoT constellation customer Astrocast to provide ongoing launch services. In addition, Spaceflight has been recognized for numerous awards, including being named Via Satellite’s 10 Hottest Companies of 2022; its break-through Sherpa orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) has been recognized as a finalist in GeekWire Awards’ Innovation of the Year Award and Via Satellite’s Technology of the Year Award.
Additionally, Spaceflight will lean on the learnings from its successful launches of Sherpa in 2021, to launch OTVs on a number of upcoming SpaceX missions this year. Spaceflight successfully launched three Sherpa OTVs last year, deploying more than 50 customer spacecraft and launching the industry’s first electric OTV.
In 2022, Spaceflight plans to execute 15 missions and debut the next two variations in its Sherpa OTV program – Sherpa-AC, which augments the base Sherpa model with key capabilities, including a flight computer, attitude knowledge & control, and an electrical power system, and Sherpa-ES, which will launch aboard the much-anticipated lunar slingshot mission, GEO Pathfinder.
About Spaceflight Inc.
As the premier global launch services provider, Spaceflight is revolutionizing the business of space transportation through its comprehensive suite of launch services and Sherpa® orbital transfer vehicles. The company provides unprecedented launch flexibility to ensure customers’ smallsats get to orbit exactly when and where they want through a combination of long-standing relationships with a diverse portfolio of launch partners, innovative satellite integration capabilities, including flight and ground support hardware, licensing and logistics management, and extensive mission management expertise. Based in Seattle, Spaceflight has successfully launched hundreds of satellites and is a part of the Mitsui & Co., Ltd. portfolio, operating as an independent, U.S.-based company. For more information, visit http://www.spaceflight.com.
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