ISL-Orbex
Orbex and ISL have signed European space launch agreement. Credit: ISIS - Innovative Solutions In Space B.V.

Netherlands-based Innovative Space Logistics (ISL) has entered a European space launch agreement with British orbital launch services provider Orbex.

Signed at the 33rd annual conference on small satellites in Logan, Utah, US, the agreement includes technical launch services consisting of launch manifest coordination and payload integration.

Launch services provider ISL will also obtain orbital space launches from Orbex for its smallsat customer missions as part of the agreement.

Over the past decade, ISL has launched more than 350 CubeSats into orbit.

The company provides regular launches for CubeSats, nanosatellites and microsatellites. It also supplies services such as launch brokering, technical consultancy, flight certification testing, and launch insurance services to a wide range of customers.

Having raised $40m in project financing, Orbex is said to be the best-funded European private launch provider.

In February, Orbex unveiled the engineering prototype of stage two of its reusable Prime launch vehicle and a dedicated smallsat launcher.

Earlier this month, Orbex’s partner Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) signed a 75-year lease option with landowners the Melness Crofters Estate to build and operate a spaceport on its land.

ISL director Abe Bonnema said: “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.”

According to the company, Prime launchers are as much as 30% lighter and 20% more efficient compared to any other vehicle in the small launcher category. Orbex Prime uses bio-propane, a renewable fuel that cuts carbon emissions by 90% compared with traditional hydrocarbon fuels.

Orbex CEO Chris Larmour said: “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.”