Exolaunch Achieves Major Milestone with 500th Satellite Deployment on SpaceX’s Transporter-13 Mission
Exolaunch, a global leader in launch mission management, satellite integration, and deployment services, has successfully deployed 27 customer satellites aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-13 rideshare mission. This latest mission marks a significant milestone for the company, as it surpasses 500 total satellite deployments, further solidifying its reputation as a trusted provider of launch solutions for the space industry.
Transporter-13 Mission Overview
The Transporter-13 mission successfully delivered nearly 1,500 kilograms of payload into orbit for customers spanning fourteen countries. These deployments encompassed a wide range of satellites, from small CubeSats to larger microsatellites, demonstrating the versatility of Exolaunch’s integration and deployment systems.
Notably, this mission marked the first successful flight of Exolaunch’s innovative Quadro four-point separation system. Designed to accommodate satellites weighing between 200 and 800+ kilograms, Quadro executed a synchronized release of all hold-down and release mechanisms (HDRMs). This ensured a precise, controlled deployment, reducing tip-off rates and simplifying the overall process for satellite operators.
Exolaunch’s Contribution to Transporter-13
For Transporter-13, Exolaunch provided full mission integration services, utilizing a suite of proprietary separation and deployment hardware, including:
- CarboNIX Separation Rings – Offering low-shock and reliable satellite separation for microsatellites.
- EXOpod Nova Deployers – Designed for CubeSat deployments with increased payload volume and optimized design.
- Quadro Four-Point Separation System – Making its debut, Quadro successfully deployed a customer’s microsatellite with high precision and efficiency.
A Major Milestone for Exolaunch
“Surpassing 500 satellites deployed is a major milestone for Exolaunch and a testament to the trust our customers place in us to deliver on their missions,” said Jeanne Allarie, Chief Commercial Officer at Exolaunch. “The successful deployment of all customer payloads and the first flight qualification of Quadro represent a significant achievement for Exolaunch. Quadro’s performance on Transporter-13 validates its role as a scalable, high-precision deployment solution for small and mid-sized satellites.”
Exolaunch’s contributions to Transporter-13 underscore the company’s ongoing commitment to advancing rideshare launch capabilities. The company has continuously refined its deployment technologies to provide more reliable and efficient solutions for satellite operators worldwide.
Expanding the Boundaries of Satellite Deployment
The Transporter-13 mission not only marked an important milestone but also demonstrated Exolaunch’s ability to handle complex satellite deployments for a wide range of customers. Exolaunch’s Vice President of Global Business Development, Kier Fortier, emphasized the significance of this achievement: “With Transporter-13, we’ve further demonstrated the value of existing flight-proven hardware and mission expertise, and expanded it with the new Quadro separation system. We would like to thank SpaceX for a smooth ride to space. We are proud to support a diverse range of customers and remain committed to advancing reliable, precise, and flexible launch solutions for the global space community.”
Satellite Deployments on Transporter-13
Exolaunch played a critical role in the deployment of a variety of satellites from both commercial and institutional customers. The following satellites were manifested and deployed by Exolaunch on the Transporter-13 mission:
Commercial and Research Satellites
- Seven satellites for Spire Global – Expanding Spire’s Earth observation and IoT satellite constellation.
- Four satellites for ICEYE – Strengthening ICEYE’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite fleet for real-time Earth imaging.
- ARVAKER I – Kongsberg NanoAvionics’ latest mission for small satellite technology development.
- BOTSAT-1 – A project by Botswana International University of Science and Technology via Endurosat.
- DROID.002 – Turion Space’s satellite for orbital debris tracking and in-space servicing.
- Firesat0 – Muon Space’s advanced satellite for monitoring and environmental applications.
- HYVRID – Yonsei University’s satellite designed for hybrid propulsion system testing.
- IOD-1 – Startical’s innovative technology demonstration satellite.
- JinjuSat-1B – A microsatellite from SpaceBey for technology and communication applications.
- NILA – HEX20’s latest small satellite for scientific and commercial use.
- NUSHSat1 – A satellite developed by the High School of Math and Science of the National University of Singapore.
- OTP-2 – A spacecraft by Rogue Space for satellite servicing technology development.
- OrbAstro-TR5 – A satellite launched by Liftero via OrbAstro for advanced technology testing.
- PANDORE – A research satellite by U-Space.
- SOAP – Another innovative mission from U-Space.
- YAM-8 – Loft Orbital’s next-generation satellite for multi-mission applications.
Deployment Hardware and Integration Services
Beyond direct satellite deployments, Exolaunch also provided deployment hardware and integration services for additional satellites, including:
- LizzieSat-3 – A Sidus Space satellite focusing on in-space manufacturing and data collection.
- DSAR-TD – Satrec Initiative’s satellite for advanced Earth observation applications.
Exolaunch’s Continued Leadership in Space Deployment
With the successful completion of the Transporter-13 mission, Exolaunch has now deployed over 520 satellites across 34 missions, reinforcing its position as a leading provider of launch integration and separation hardware. The company continues to expand its partnerships with satellite operators and launch providers to develop more advanced, efficient, and cost-effective launch solutions.
Exolaunch’s ongoing innovations, including the introduction of Quadro, demonstrate its commitment to pushing the boundaries of satellite deployment technology. As the space industry evolves and demand for rideshare missions increases, Exolaunch remains at the forefront, ensuring reliable and precise deployment solutions for global customers.
With more launches on the horizon, Exolaunch is well-positioned to support the growing demand for small satellite deployments, further enhancing access to space for commercial, academic, and government entities worldwide.
