French space logistics company Exotrail has signed a multi-launch agreement with Germany’s Isar Aerospace. The agreement will see Exotrail spacevan space tugs launch aboard several Spectrum missions between 2024 and 2029.
Exotrail’s spacevan space tugs form the backbone of its spacedrop service that offers last-mile transportation services for small satellites. And yes, the names of all Exotrail products and services are lowercase – what is the appeal of lowercase names to these companies?
“The contract with Isar Aerospace enables us to consolidate our spacedrop™ service by offering more launch opportunities to customers looking for bespoke and competitive access to LEO and GEO orbits,” Jean-Luc Maria, CEO of Exotrail, stated.
The Exotrail flights will launch from both Andøya Space in Norway and the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana, delivering spacevan space tugs packed with customer payloads into LEO and GTO orbits.
Road to the launchpad
This latest launch deal once again grows an already impressive Isar launch manifest. The company signed several launch service agreements in 2021 and Italy’s D-Orbit signed up for a flight in June.
Isar is currently working towards the first hot fire test of its LOX/Liquid Propane Aquila engine. This endeavour has, however, not been without its challenges. The company has been battling disgruntled neighbours over noise complaints at one of its test facilities. Despite the challenges, the company appears to be close to heating up the Swedish winter with some fiery rocket engine exhaust at its Esrange Space Center engine test facility.
