Page 72 - SAMENA Trends - August 2019

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Orbex and Innovative Space Logistics Sign Space Launch Agreement

Innovative Space Logistics B.V. and UK-based orbital launch orbital space launches from Orbex for a number of its smallsat
services provider Orbex signed a wide-ranging Cooperation customer missions. Netherlands-based company ISL is one of
Agreement at the 33rd Annual Conference on Small Satellites the world’s leading players in smallsat launches, having executed
in Logan, Utah. The co-operation will include technical launch or supported the launch of over 350 CubeSats into orbit over the
services including launch manifest coordination and payload past decade. With $40 million in project financing, Orbex is the
integration. As part of the agreement, ISL will also procure best-funded European private launch provider. In February 2019,
Orbex publicly unveiled the engineering prototype of the Stage
2 of its reusable Prime launch vehicle, a dedicated smallsat
launcher, which is up to 30 percent lighter and 20 percent more
efficient than any other vehicle in the micro launcher category.
Orbex Prime utilizes bio-propane, a clean-burning, renewable fuel
that cuts carbon emissions by 90 percent compared to traditional
hydrocarbon fuels. On August 1, 2019, Orbex’s partner, Highlands
and Islands Enterprise (HIE) confirmed that it had signed a 75-
year lease option with landowners, the Melness Crofters Estate, to
build and operate a spaceport on its land. “It is extremely attractive
for many of our customers to be able to launch from Europe,” said
Abe Bonnema, Director at ISL. “Orbex has very quickly emerged as
a leader in the developing European launch market, and it makes
sense to cooperate further, as this market evolves. The innovation
in their launch vehicle, Prime, as well as the quality and experience
of their personnel makes Orbex a natural partner for ISL.” “There
are very few companies globally that have the dedicated smallsat
expertise that ISL has accumulated” said Chris Larmour, CEO of
Orbex. “This cooperation will enhance both ISL’s and Orbex’s
commercial offerings and together we will be able to provide
competitive all-European solutions. The European launch services
market is evolving fast and we will be able to jointly address many
of the emerging requirements for European launches.”

Intelsat and Stratosat Power Business Expansion and Enable International

Commerce across Central Africa

Intelsat S.A. has announced an agreement and agriculture companies. Stratosat not supported by traditional networks.
with Stratosat Datacom that provides for NextGen will also enable multi-national “Because connectivity is essential to
the delivery of high-speed broadband enterprises to engage and connect with supporting the growth of local and
services to sites across Central Africa their partners and customers throughout regional economies, Intelsat is committed
by integrating managed connectivity the region, driving business and overall to making broadband connectivity more
from Intelsat’s high throughput global economic growth. Intelsat’s FlexEnterprise attainable for businesses, communities,
network with valued-added engineering is a secure, managed connectivity service and individuals across Africa,” said Brian
and management services from Stratosat. with broad global coverage that removes Jakins, Intelsat’s Regional Vice President,
Together, the companies will bring internet the complexity of delivering high-speed Africa. “Stratosat is the first of Intelsat’s
and Virtual Private Networking (VPN) broadband services to enterprises. FlexEnterprise partners to focus on
connectivity to markets across the region FlexEnterprise delivers a superior expanding broadband connectivity in
that have traditionally lacked access to experience while reducing the total cost of the Central African region.” “Stratosat
reliable communications capabilities. The ownership and improving the economics Datacom is pleased to partner up with
Stratosat NextGen managed service — of network expansion by pairing high- Intelsat to bring unique connectivity to
powered by Intelsat’s FlexEnterprise — can throughput connectivity from Intelsat’s the Central Region in Africa. We are highly
be rapidly deployed and will dramatically space-based network with smaller, more committed to empower local service
improve the reach and performance of capable ground hardware. This delivers providers to offer cost-effective broadband
networks for small, medium, and large dramatically enhanced network speed, solutions to end-users,” said Dieter Kovar,
businesses in the region, including coverage, and security, enabling access Schauenburg International – Africa Group
schools, hospitals, financial firms, mining, to services and applications that are CEO.
72 AUGUST 2019