SpinLaunch Expands into Broadband Satellite Constellation Venture
WASHINGTON, D.C. — SpinLaunch, renowned for its pioneering work on an innovative launch system, is broadening its scope to include the development of a broadband satellite constellation. The company’s strategic pivot aims to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for space-based communication networks, marking a significant expansion beyond its core launch technology.
Major Contract Secures Satellite Manufacturing
On April 3rd, SpinLaunch unveiled a substantial contract valued at 122.5 million euros ($136 million) with Kongsberg NanoAvionics, a specialist in small satellite manufacturing. This agreement commissions NanoAvionics to produce 280 satellites for SpinLaunch’s planned Meridian Space constellation. The deal also incorporates a $12 million investment in SpinLaunch from Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, the parent organization of NanoAvionics, signifying a strong partnership and financial backing.
Simultaneous Development of Satellites and Launch System
While SpinLaunch has gained public attention for its unconventional launch system, which employs a centrifuge to propel vehicles to hypersonic speeds as an alternative to traditional first-stage rockets, the company has also been strategically planning for the satellites that such a system could deploy. This dual-track approach underscores SpinLaunch‘s long-term vision in the space industry.
Early Investment in Satellite Constellation
“The year 2020 marked a pivotal moment when we intensified our efforts and significantly invested in creating our own satellite constellation,” stated David Wrenn, Chief Executive Officer of SpinLaunch, in a recent interview. This strategic shift included filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2021 to secure necessary spectrum allocations, laying the groundwork for the Meridian Space initiative.
Meridian Space: A Standalone Broadband Venture
SpinLaunch is now proactively advancing Meridian Space as an independent endeavor, distinct from its launch system development. This move is driven by the robust market demand for broadband satellite services. The company believes its unique technology can facilitate high-performance capabilities using smaller satellites – each weighing just 70 kilograms. This lightweight design is intended to minimize the number of launches required for full constellation deployment, offering potential cost efficiencies.
Technological Advantages of Meridian Space
“The primary differentiator lies in our technology, which enables a satellite design that significantly reduces launch requirements, ultimately enhancing the system’s unit economics,” Wrenn explained. “We are also leveraging cutting-edge networking protocols to deliver a network characterized by exceptionally low latency and high reliability.”
Military-Grade Security: Incorporating robust security measures for data protection.
Scalability: Designed for easy expansion and network growth.
The initial deployment of 280 satellites is projected to provide a minimum of two terabits per second of sellable capacity, with the infrastructure designed to accommodate future satellite additions. SpinLaunch’s FCC filing seeks authorization for approximately 1,200 satellites, operating across Ka-, Ku-, and V-band frequencies, indicating substantial future growth potential.
Targeting Enterprise and Government Sectors
Unlike consumer-focused services like SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, SpinLaunch’s Meridian Space is strategically targeting enterprise and government clients. This approach allows customers to utilize existing hardware, such as ground terminals, for seamless integration with the Meridian Space network, simplifying adoption and minimizing infrastructure investment.
Fixed Ground Track Orbit Design
The Meridian Space satellites will operate in orbits at an altitude of 830 kilometers, employing a fixed ground track configuration rather than precessing orbits. This orbital arrangement simplifies ground equipment requirements, as terminals will only need to track satellites in a single dimension, leading to reduced system costs and complexity for users.
NanoAvionics Selected for Satellite Production
Wrenn noted that NanoAvionics was chosen after a comprehensive evaluation of the satellite manufacturing industry. “We believe they are at a unique inflection point in their own development,” he stated, highlighting NanoAvionics’ capacity to scale up satellite production and capitalize on resources from Kongsberg, which acquired a controlling interest in NanoAvionics in 2022.
Strategic Partnership for Satellite Constellation
“We concluded that their combined strengths represented an exceptionally robust partnership, leading to our final selection,” he added. SpinLaunch will supply the communications payloads for the satellites, while NanoAvionics will handle the satellite construction, leveraging the strengths of both companies.
Meridian Space Launch Timeline
SpinLaunch anticipates launching demonstration satellites for Meridian Space starting in 2026, with the initial deployment of operational satellites planned for late 2027 at the earliest. “We intend to rapidly accelerate deployment to achieve full commercial service within 12 to 24 months thereafter,” Wrenn projected, indicating an aggressive schedule for constellation deployment and service initiation.
Funding and Future Investment
Prior to the investment from Kongsberg, SpinLaunch announced a $71 million Series B funding round in September 2022, bringing its total funding to $150 million at that time. Wrenn acknowledged that additional capital will be necessary to fully realize the Meridian Space project, highlighting the investment-intensive nature of large-scale satellite constellations.
Demonstration Phase and Customer Engagement
“Currently, our focus is on demonstrating the satellite technology next year,” Wrenn stated. He emphasized that successful demonstrations, along with building a strong customer pipeline, “will be crucial for securing the necessary capital fundraising” to propel the project forward and secure long-term financial viability.
Strong Customer Interest
Wrenn mentioned that SpinLaunch has engaged with key potential customers expressing interest in acquiring substantial system capacity, in the range of “hundreds of gigabits per second.” While no formal agreements have been announced publicly to date, this indicates strong market validation and demand for the Meridian Space services.
SpinLaunch has a lease agreement for land on Adak Island in Alaska, where the company intends to construct its orbital launch system.
Orbital Launch System Development
For the initial Meridian Space constellation launches, SpinLaunch will rely on established launch providers. “We are currently in discussions with numerous launch service providers, and there is certainly a diverse array of available launch systems,” Wrenn confirmed, ensuring access to space for its satellite deployment.
Adak Island Site for Orbital Launch System
Simultaneously, SpinLaunch is pressing forward with its plans for its proprietary unconventional launch system. On April 3rd, the company also announced a lease agreement with The Aleut Corporation for land on Adak Island, located in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. This strategic location, near 180 degrees longitude, offers unique advantages for its Orbital Launch System.
Adak Island Site Advantages
Wrenn described the Adak Island agreement as an “exploratory phase” for developing its Orbital Launch System, which will feature a massive 100-meter diameter centrifuge. “We conducted an extensive search across the U.S. and considered international sites. Adak presents a unique combination of attributes that make it a highly appealing prospective launch site,” he explained. These advantages include existing infrastructure from a former military base and operational commercial airline services, streamlining development and logistics.
Strategic Launch Location
The geographical location of Adak Island enables a launch system to access a broad spectrum of orbital inclinations. Furthermore, the site benefits from minimal air and sea traffic, reducing launch constraints and enhancing safety and operational efficiency.
Long-Term Development Timeline
Despite the lease agreement, Wrenn clarified that an operational launch system on Adak Island remains several years away. The company anticipates spending at least a year on preliminary assessments, including thorough site surveys and environmental planning initiatives. Construction is estimated to take a minimum of 36 months. “In totality, we anticipate a multi-year timeframe to bring that system online,” he concluded, emphasizing the long-term commitment required for such an ambitious project.
Potential Synergy Between Ventures
The Orbital Launch System project will necessitate further funding. Revenue generated from the Meridian Space constellation is considered a potential funding source. “Ultimately, the timeline will dictate the interplay between these ventures,” Wrenn noted, suggesting that prospective customers of the launch system itself could also accelerate its development through early commitments and partnerships.
We use cookies and google fonts to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this website we will assume that you agree with it.
