Orbiters first mission is scheduled for October 2022, when it will fly on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission.
Small launch vehicle company Launcher has announced Orbiter, its universal orbital transfer vehicle and satellite platform designed to be compatible with both Launcher Light and SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare flights.
Orbiter is interoperable with either launch vehicle via a common 24-inch ESPA Grande adapter ring and is contracted to make its inaugural flight to sun-synchronous orbit via SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission in October 2022.
Orbiter can carry up to 150 kg of customer satellite payload in a modular stack of CubeSat deployers. It can also be configured to accommodate small satellite payloads directly on an integration surface compatible with small satellite separation systems. Orbiter is equipped with Launchers signature combination of high-performance, low-cost, high-thrust chemical propulsion that allows customers to customise their payload orbit according to their mission needs.
Max Haot, Founder and CEO of Launcher Launcher, said: Orbiter delivers the best of both worlds: the ability to maximise and tailor launch opportunities for your constellation using SpaceXs rideshare programme, as well as the option to design additional complimentary missions on a small, dedicated Launcher rocket when orbit requirements or schedules dictate. Customers benefit from working with the same partner, mission team, contract, qualification and regulatory processes, satellite interface, and orbital transfer vehicle hardware and software platform.
Orbiter is being designed as a long-term mission satellite platform from the ground up supporting both short-term missions with precision payload release and long-duration missions with hosted payloads and access to high-speed payload communication, power, attitude control, thermal management, propulsion and full ground control and communication service provided by Launcher.
