Lagos, June 17, 2024. – Vyoma has selected Aerospacelab for a microsatellite contract, which will fly Vyoma's second Space Situational Awareness (SSA) optical payload, tentatively launching toward the end of 2025. The mission advances the 12-satellite Flamingo constellation of Vyoma which the Company designed for high-fidelity, low-latency space-based SSA data acquisition and provisioning.
Additionally, as part of the contract, Aerospacelab will provide its Versatile Satellite Platform-50 (VSP-50) to host the Vyoma optical payload and mission manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing service. This includes payload integration and satellite integration into the launch vehicle, the launch and early orbit phase and commissioning once in orbit. This mission is the successor to the Vyoma pilot satellite (first generation), which is scheduled to launch in February 2025.
The contract marks the second commercial contract to date for Aerospacelab's VSP-50, building on the proven heritage and successes of its VSP-150. The company currently operates six VSP-150s, including four that launched on the SpaceX Transporter-10 mission.
Speaking about the contract, Dr. Luisa Buinhas, Program Director at Vyoma, said: “Second-generation satellite technology will significantly enhance our in-orbit space tracking and surveillance operations, to acquire data with unprecedented accuracy. The CPO also added: “Overall, our growing surveillance constellation will foster a more secure space environment, empowering intelligence officers and operators to make effective operational decisions.”
Likewise, Benoit Deper, CEO and founder of Aerospacelab, commented: “The commercial industry will accelerate the deployment of critical space capability. We are one of the most vertically integrated satellite manufacturers, capable of rapidly producing satellite buses and integrating payloads for a diverse set of missions; “It all comes down to affordability, timeliness and risk reduction.”
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