Maritime Launch Services (MLS) publicly announced a couple of agreements at this years International Astronautical Congress in Paris including with Skyrora and the State Space Agency of Ukraine. What other deals will come from their side meetings is something we should learn about in the coming months.
Supporting Ukraine and Students
The first announcement was a feel good moment and continues their longstanding partnership with Ukraine. On Tuesday, at the Canada pavilion, MLS announced with their partners Nanoracks that they were supporting a CubeSat program for Ukrainian universities. The agreement was in the form of a Letter of Intent signed with the State Space Agency of Ukraine.
Under the agreement MLS will launch the CubeSats from Spaceport Nova Scotia while Nanoracks will provide mission integration. The CubeSat program will be led by the State Space Agency of Ukraine who will solicit proposals from across universities in the Ukraine. How many proposals will be selected is yet to be determined. Representing the State Space Agency of Ukraine at the event was Volodymyr Taftai, Head of the agency.
MLS CEO Steve Matier said he was a big fan of the Canadian CubeSat Project led by the Canadian Space Agency. of note, also participating in the event in a supporting role was Lisa Campbell, President of the agency. Matier stated, “By supporting State Space Agency of Ukraine in the development of a CubeSat Program, students will enjoy a unique, hands-on experience that will directly contribute to the growth and development of talent in the next generation of space professionals in Ukraine.”
For its part, the CSA signed an agreement with the State Space Agency of Ukraine “to share best practices and experiences in the development of their respective CubeSat programs as a means of developing the next generation of space experts.”
Also in attendance was Dr. Amela Wilson, CEO of Nanoracks who said “We’re honored to support this effort with Maritime Launch and State Space Agency of Ukraine. CubeSat programs offer immense opportunities for students to kickstart successful careers in the space industry, and we’re thrilled to bring this opportunity to Ukraine. Leveraging our experience managing the Canadian CubeSat Project for CSA and working with over a dozen universities in the country, we’re confident in the positive impact of this effort.”
Skyrora to Launch from Spaceport Nova Scotia
The other news from MLS from Paris today is that they have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Skyrora, an Edinburgh based launch service provider. In particular, the LOI covers the use of the Skyrora XL launch vehicle.
Skyrora describes the XL as “a three stage, light class launch vehicle intended to place payloads into Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) between a range of 500km and 1,000km in altitude. The vehicle is also intended to place payloads into Polar Orbit between a range of 200km and 1,000km in altitude.”
Skyrora will supply the XL launch vehicle for MLS “clients as well as to host their own satellite clients under a lease agreement.” In addition to providing the launch vehicles, Skyrora will provide a mobile launch complex and a launch operations support team. Interestingly, Skyrora says they have offices in other European cities including in Dnipro where they are “proud to be working with an innovative subsidiary.”
MLS “will purchase the vehicles and vehicle support staff from Skyrora for their satellite clients. Spaceport Nova Scotia will provide Skyrora a launch pad, ground and operations support, public safety services, regulatory approvals and mission integration facilities and staff.”
Matier also stated that, “We are pleased about this new partnership and look forward to bringing our first international client, Skyrora, and the Skyrora XL vehicle, to Spaceport Nova Scotia in Canada. Following the company’s opening of its manufacturing facility in July and their vehicle’s recent successful second stage static hot fire test at Machrihanish Airbase in Scotland in August, we are excited to help deliver Skyrora XL’s sustainably-focused launch vehicle design and innovative third stage technology to customers on a global scale through this partnership.”
Lee Rosen Skyrora Chief Operations Officer added, “As Skyrora’s program progresses, it is great to have the option to offer more launch inclinations to Skyrora customers at Spaceport Nova Scotia. Through the LOI, we will be able to investigate all options for our potential clients. Since our partnership began, we have enjoyed working with the team of professionals at Maritime Launch, and we look forward to growing this exciting partnership together.”