DENVER & BERLIN: Exolaunch, a global leader in small satellite launch mission management and deployment technologies, has announced new multi-year launch agreements with SpaceX that will extend its capacity to deploy small satellites aboard Falcon 9 rideshare missions through 2028. This strategic partnership builds on a successful track record since 2020, during which Exolaunch has facilitated the launch of more than 400 satellites on 20 SpaceX missions, underscoring its pivotal role in the expanding small satellite launch market.
The newly procured contracts cover a broad spectrum of mission profiles, including traditional Transporter rideshare missions to sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), as well as additional launches to mid-inclination, near-polar, and dawn-dusk orbits. This diversity enables Exolaunch to meet a wide range of customer needs, accommodating satellites from CubeSats up to 16U in size, microsatellites weighing between 20 and 800 kilograms, and even larger payloads.
Exolaunch’s collaboration with SpaceX has not only delivered payloads to low Earth orbit (LEO) and SSO but has also supported missions to geostationary orbit (GEO) and deep space, demonstrating the versatility and reliability of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles in servicing varied orbital destinations.
Since its first launch with SpaceX in 2020, Exolaunch has executed over 160 launch contracts, deploying satellites for customers from more than 20 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Finland, Spain, Belgium, France, Sweden, Norway, Italy, Lithuania, Denmark, Turkey, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Argentina, and many others. Notably, Exolaunch is the only launch integrator to have manifested satellites on every Transporter rideshare mission to date, highlighting its leadership and trusted status in the rideshare launch sector.
Beyond established spacefaring nations, Exolaunch’s missions have enabled “firsts” for emerging space countries such as Senegal, Kenya, Croatia, Mongolia, Djibouti, and Botswana, helping these nations realize their space ambitions and fostering a more inclusive global space community.
Exolaunch’s success is underpinned by its proprietary, flight-proven satellite deployment hardware. This includes the CarboNIX microsatellite separation rings, EXOport multi-satellite adapters, EXOpod Nova CubeSat deployers, and Quadro four-point separation systems for microsatellites. These systems are designed to ensure safe, precise, and reliable satellite deployment while minimizing shock and vibration during separation.
The company continues to innovate, preparing to launch several new separation systems for microsatellites and CubeSats on upcoming missions, thereby addressing the evolving needs of the global satellite industry with cutting-edge technology.
Kier Fortier, Vice President of Global Business Development at Exolaunch, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “Exolaunch’s sustained and growing collaboration with SpaceX underscores our joint commitment and mission to provide reliable access to space. SpaceX has been a steadfast launch provider, and we’re proud to push the boundaries of what’s possible in support of our global customers together.”
Stephanie Bednarek, SpaceX Vice President of Commercial Sales, echoed this sentiment: “We’re proud of Exolaunch’s ongoing trust in our capabilities to provide rapid and reliable access to space for their customers aboard our small satellite rideshare missions. Our Falcon vehicles have safely delivered hundreds of payloads to orbit for Exolaunch, and we look forward to continuing launching with them long into the future.”
Exolaunch recently deployed 27 customer satellites on the Transporter-13 rideshare mission, delivering over 1,500 kilograms of payload into orbit for clients from 14 countries. The upcoming Transporter-14 mission is set to deploy nearly 50 customer satellites, reflecting a robust increase in both mission cadence and total satellites launched year-over-year, fueled by growing global demand for small satellite launches.
Jeanne Allarie, Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer at Exolaunch, highlighted the company’s rapid growth: “We’re thankful to SpaceX for our fruitful long-term collaboration and for delivering hundreds of payloads successfully to orbit. Exolaunch is scaling rapidly to efficiently serve its global customers.”
To support its expanding launch schedule and customer base, Exolaunch has been scaling its operations, particularly in the United States. The company has expanded its offices and integration facilities in Denver, Colorado, establishing U.S.-based payload processing and mission management teams to provide rapid, on-the-ground support for both domestic and international customers. Additionally, Exolaunch has established a presence in France and Japan to better serve local satellite operators in those regions.
This global operational footprint, combined with a robust pipeline of upcoming launches, positions Exolaunch to continue delivering reliable and tailored orbital access solutions for the world’s most ambitious space programs.
Founded with a vision to make space accessible to all, Exolaunch is a German-American company specializing in launch mission integration and satellite deployment technologies for small satellites. With over a decade of flight heritage and more than 530 satellites launched across 36 missions to date, Exolaunch offers turnkey solutions tailored to customer needs and market trends. The company serves a diverse clientele, including industry leaders, innovative startups, research institutions, government agencies, and international space organizations. Exolaunch is committed to safe, sustainable, and responsible use of space and continues to innovate in satellite separation systems and mission management services.
Exolaunch’s extended partnership with SpaceX through 2028 marks a significant milestone in the commercial small satellite launch industry. By combining proven deployment technologies, a broad range of mission capabilities, and a global customer base, Exolaunch is poised to remain a key enabler of the rapidly growing small satellite market, helping to democratize access to space and support the ambitions of both established and emerging space nations worldwide.
