Synspective Inc. and Exolaunch announced a new Launch Agreement to launch Synspective’s third demonstration SAR satellite “StriX-1” on a Soyuz-2 launch vehicle in mid-2022. Exolaunch is a small satellite launch services provider, and Synspective is a SAR satellite data and analytic solution provider. The companies extended their collaboration after signing a launch agreement for the second Synspective’s demonstration SAR satellite “StriX-beta”, which is currently under the final preparations for launch later this year.
Strix-1 is the third satellite of a 30 SAR satellite constellation that Synspective is planning to deploy by the late 2020s. This LEO constellation will be capable of observing the location of a disaster occurring anywhere in the world within 2 hours (within 24 hours with the first 6 satellites built and deployed by 2023).
Dr. Motoyuki Arai, founder and CEO of Synspective, said, “Following the launch of our small SAR satellite, ‘StriX-β’, we are pleased to entrust the launch of the third satellite, ‘StriX-1’, with Exolaunch, whose courteous and flexible response has given us peace of mind during this difficult Covid-19 situation. The ‘StriX-1’ commercial prototype, together with the released solutions for infrastructure development and disaster risk management, will be the basis for our future business expansion. We will accomplish this mission and steadily achieve results to enhance global efficiency and resilience.”
Exolaunch is arranging a dedicated custom orbit for Synspective’s satellites deployment along with the launch, end-to-end mission management, and integration services. Earlier this year the teams of Synspective and Exolaunch successfully completed the joint tests with the Soyuz launch vehicle’s interfaces and conducted a site survey at Vostochny launch site prior to the upcoming launch campaigns.
“We admire seeing a rapid growth of Synspective’s SAR satellite constellation and are privileged to strengthen our cooperation by arranging the launch for one more satellite, StriX-1,” said Jeanne Medvedeva, VP of Launch Services at Exolaunch. “Both StriX-beta and StriX-1 are on track to launch into Synspective’s custom orbit via Exolaunch’s services to ensure the outstanding performance of Synspective’s constellation on orbit”.
Synspective is currently developing an automated process that analyzes the observed data, assesses the situation of the damaged place at the early stage, and provides a solution. By establishing its constellation, Synspective aims to contribute to significant improvements in the world’s disaster response efforts.