Exo launch, a global leader in launch mission management, integration, and satellite deployment services, proudly announced the successful deployment of four satellites aboard Arianespace’s maiden flight of the Ariane 6 rocket. The liftoff occurred on Tuesday, July 9, at 16:00 GFT from the Guiana Space Centre, also known as Europe’s Spaceport, in Kourou, French Guiana. Representing customers ESA, NASA, and Spacemanic, this mission underscores Exo launch’s crucial role in expanding access to space and supporting new launch vehicle providers.
This historic launch featured ESA’s ISTSat-1 and 3Cat-4, NASA’s CURIE, and Spacemanic’s GRBBeta satellites. The successful deployment of these satellites highlights Exolaunch’s commitment to facilitating groundbreaking scientific research and technological advancements through reliable and innovative satellite deployment solutions.
ESA’s ISTSat-1, developed by students at the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, aims to demonstrate ADS-B technology, validating detection capabilities and assessing antenna and receiver performance for receiving messages from commercial aircraft. 3Cat-4, a CubeSat from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, features a flexible microwave payload technology demonstrator with scientific objectives related to GNSS for Earth observation and AIS receiver validation.
NASA’s CURIE mission comprises two near-identical 3U CubeSats designed to explore low-frequency radio interferometry in space. These CubeSats will study solar radio bursts by maintaining a 1-3 km separation post-deployment, contributing to the understanding of heliospheric space weather and serving as a proof of concept for future space-based interferometry observatories.
Spacemanic’s GRBBeta, a 2U CubeSat, acts as a tech demonstration for the future CAMELOT constellation, aiming to detect and localize gamma-ray bursts from space. Managed by Spacemanic and led by the Technical University of Košice, this mission tests new subsystems, including an advanced GNSS positioning module and a radio modem for instant telemetry.
The successful launch of Ariane 6 represents a significant milestone for the European space industry, heralding a new era of enhanced access to space for European entities. Ariane 6 is designed to offer flexibility and cost-efficiency, making it an attractive option for various space missions. By supporting this historic launch, Exolaunch reinforces its dedication to fostering growth and innovation in Europe’s space sector.
“Exolaunch is honored to have been part of the Ariane 6 maiden flight, working alongside Arianespace, ESA, and CNES to provide our customers with dependable access to space,” remarked Jeanne Allarie, Chief Commercial Officer at Exolaunch. “We also extend congratulations to ESA, NASA, and Spacemanic on their successful satellite deployments. We are proud to support these innovative missions and look forward to the scientific and technological advancements they will bring. This launch is a testament to the technical prowess and collaborative spirit of the European space community and a stepping stone towards a more robust, competitive European presence in the global space industry. We look forward to supporting future Ariane 6 launches and ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of space exploration.”
