In a significant development for the space industry, three leading rideshare launch service providers have announced their partnership aimed at facilitating launches to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). This strategic alliance among Innovative Solutions in Space (ISISPACE), Maverick Space Systems, and SEOPS marks a pivotal shift in how payloads are launched to GTO.
Chad Brinkley, chief executive of SEOPS, articulated the foundation of this collaboration, noting their shared mission-first culture and hands-on work ethic. “Working more closely together was a natural step forward,” he stated. Such synergies promise to enhance operational efficiencies and broaden launch capabilities.
SEOPS revealed plans for a dedicated Falcon 9 GTO mission set for late 2028. Although it has yet to secure formal commitments, the company has observed substantial interest from both commercial and governmental clients. This mission is part of SEOPS’ broader initiative to offer innovative capacity programs and manage complex rideshare missions effectively.
Each company will continue to operate independently, leveraging their unique strengths in the collaboration. ISISPACE is known for its extensive experience with rideshare missions and smallsat launch solutions. Maverick Space Systems brings expertise in diverse deployment systems suitable for small launchers as well as EELV-class rockets, serving a mix of commercial and U.S. government customers.
Abe Bonnema, cofounder of ISISPACE, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership: “As we need to adapt to market needs continuously, working with our like-minded partners to jointly offer GTO rideshare services to our international customers is a strategic step in that process.” This statement highlights the dynamic nature of the commercial space market and the necessity for adaptive strategies.
Roland Coelho, chief executive of Maverick Space, underscored the untapped potential of the GTO market, stating, “While existing launch opportunities effectively serve the LEO market, the GTO market remains underserved.” The partnership aims to address this imbalance and unlock new opportunities for GTO launches.
Alongside their efforts towards the GTO market, SEOPS will continue to engage customers for other orbital missions. This includes a recent NASA task order under the Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) contract, which involves the launch of a CubeSat in 2025. The task order, while financially undisclosed, is part of SEOPS’ ongoing commitment to enhance payload processing and launch services.
The collaboration between ISISPACE, Maverick Space Systems, and SEOPS is poised to significantly influence the geostationary launch landscape. By pooling their expertise and resources, these companies aim to address the gap in GTO launch services and meet the growing demand from both commercial and government sectors. This initiative not only promises to advance geostationary orbit accessibility but also to drive innovation in rideshare launch strategies.
Source: Spacenews
