Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and In-Space Missions Limited (In-Space) have today revealed an opportunity for an ultra-low cost ride to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
The in-orbit demonstration Faraday missions, named in honour of Michael Faraday, one of Britain’s greatest experimentalists and scientific communicators, will offer ultra-low cost prices for a ride to LEO starting at $12,000. The Faraday satellite platforms will be designed and manufactured by SSTL making use of their world leading robust space design approach, with In-Space managing the payload interface and providing customers with expert support for design, test and service exploitation.
Sized from 12U to 150kg, the Faraday missions have been designed to support a range of payload interfaces, including a simple USB interface, offering customers a streamlined test and integration campaign. The inaugural mission will provide a six to twelve month qualification and demonstration phase for on-board payloads, followed by a 5 year early service exploitation phase for at least one payload.
Anita Bernie, Director of Platforms at SSTL said “The cost of accessing space on a robust and flight-proven platform has traditionally been out of reach for many small payload providers so I am delighted that SSTL and In-Space are working together on Faraday’s ultra-low cost ride opportunity to LEO orbit.”
“Small payloads will fly at a world-beating price, with some entering an extended revenue generating service phase. The Faraday missions offer new satellite application and service developers a credible and compelling opportunity to kick-start their plans to get into space.” said Doug Liddle, CEO of In-Space Missions Limited.
The call for payload opportunities on the first Faraday mission is now open and is hosted on a dedicated website at www.faradaymission.space
SSTL and ISML are both exhibitors at the SmallSats Conference in Utah and welcome both commercial and media enquiries at their Booths:
In-Space: Booth #208T
SSTL: Booth #21 & 22
Press Contacts:
Doug Liddle at in-space missions:
Tel: +44 (0)7984 097736
Email: doug@in-space.co.uk
Anita Bernie at SSTL:
Tel: +44 07584 211774
Email: a.bernie@sstl.co.uk
About SSTL
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is the world's leading small satellite company, delivering operational space missions for a range of applications including Earth observation, science and communications. The Company designs, manufactures and operates high performance satellites and ground systems for a fraction of the price normally associated with space missions, with 500 staff working on turnkey satellite platforms, space-proven satellite subsystems and optical instruments.
Since 1981, SSTL has built and launched 50 satellites for 20 international customers – as well as providing training and development programmes, consultancy services, and mission studies for ESA, NASA , international governments and commercial customers, with an innovative approach that is changing the economics of space.
Headquartered in Guildford, UK, SSTL is part of the Airbus Group.
www.sstl.co.uk
About In-Space Missions Limited
Formed in 2015, In-Space Missions Limited delivers new space services and products enabled by cutting edge ground and space technology.
50 combined years in military, institutional and commercial space activities covering EO, Comms, Navigation, Science and Exploration.
Experience developing missions employing spacecraft from 3 kg to 3000 kg covering the full range of activities from designing the concept and business case to delivering and operating the system.
In-Space has a number of mission level products including Faraday and GIoTTO (an IoT service). It also has a number of software products under development including an AOCS system design tool.
Other capabilities of In-Space include:
Consultancy to newspace, traditional space, institutions and government. In-Space supports and enables from large scale capital projects to small scale technical developments.
Procurement Support to space companies, new entrants and government. In-Space provides a customer friend function to enable pragmatic technical and programmatic oversight on space mission and subsystem procurements.
www.in-space.co.uk
