Exotrail has officially released the firm’s new, in-space, mobility service which is delivered by their SpaceVan™, a unique Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV).
The debut SpaceVan™ mission will launch onboard a Falcon 9 rideshare mission in October 2023 following a launch service agreement signed between Exotrail and SpaceX.
At least three subsequent missions are planned throughout 2024 onboard multiple different launchers. Deploying constellations over several planes, altitudes and inclinations often means using dedicated launch vehicles which dramatically increase launch costs.
With the SpaceVan™ mobility service, satellite operators can now quickly and efficiently deploy their constellations over several different planes, altitudes, and inclinations, while still taking advantage of significantly cheaper rideshare vehicles. Exotrail has leveraged its capabilities in flight dynamics, system design and electric propulsion to create an in-space mobility service.
The SpaceVan™ uses Exotrail’s space proven ExoMG™ propulsion system which is a key differentiator from its chemical propulsion OTVs counterparts and offers up to 1 km/s of deltaV for a payload capacity of up to 400 kg. The SpaceVan™ is able to perform a typical constellation plane change maneuver in less than 3 months and a 100 km. change in just two weeks. The SpaceVan™ has standard connection interfaces which allows both nanosatellites and microsatellites to be deployed, as well as offering hosted payload capability.