Andrews sets up new small payload launch company

The advanced space technology developer Andrews Space has formed Space Flight Services, a new company dedicated to the provision of low cost space access for small payloads.
The services on offer comprise the integration of a range of small secondary…

The advanced space technology developer Andrews Space has formed Space Flight Services, a new company dedicated to the provision of low cost space access for small payloads.

The services on offer comprise the integration of a range of small secondary payloads with a variety of different launch vehicles. The payloads it handles range in size from Cubesats to nanospacecraft.

The business hinges on the small amount of excess payload capacity available on commercial launches. The problem for parties wishing to utilise this in the past has been the difficulty in matching up their requirements in terms of orbital placement and available capacity with the schedule of the launch providers.

Space Flight Services is seeking to remedy this by acting as an intermediary, matching secondary payloads to the most appropriate available flights. This model is also beneficial for the launch providers, as it creates an additional revenue stream.

As an example of this, Space Flight Services has signed an agreement with SpaceX to manifest payloads using excess capacity on upcoming Falcon 9/Dragon Capsule missions from 2012 and beyond.

The company’s website also states that it will work with the United Launch Alliance and Orbital Sciences Corporation.

“This will enable new missions and markets,” said Jason Andrews, president and CEO of Andrews Space and founder of SpaceFlight . “For the first time customers have regularly scheduled flight opportunities and commercial pricing for small payloads. This will enable a whole new class of missions and technology demonstration flights to rapidly mature technology as well as develop the next generation workforce.”