SEPTEMBER 2019 –

D-Orbit and Leaf Space announce framework contract to integrate Leaf Space’s LEOP services into D-Orbit’s launch and deployment solutions

D-Orbit and Leaf Space announce a framework contract to integrate Leaf Space’s launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) into its InOrbit NOW service suite for the New Space market.

According to Giovanni Pandolfi Bortoletto, CTO of Leaf Space, “This partnership creates value for customers as a new and complete service package is created. Customers will be able to find a ground segment solution in the early stages of the mission while choosing D-Orbit’s ION solution, also providing an easier and quicker commissioning phase for the satellite.”

D-Orbit offers a range of deployment services that can be tailored to the customer’s needs, from the launch procurement of a single spacecraft using standard deployment strategies to the precise deployment of a full constellation with ION CubeSat Carrier, a free-flyer dispenser developed and operated by D-Orbit. ION CubeSat Carrier can host any combination of CubeSats with a total volume of up to 64U and release them individually into distinct orbital slots, enabling deployment schemes previously unavailable to spacecraft with no independent propulsion.

Leaf Space has been offering ground segment services since late 2017 including LEOP solutions. Thanks to its Leaf Line ground station network, Leaf Space has successfully provided the service to different operators in the NewSpace environment, showing its capability of filling the gap for this extremely critical mission phase to activate the satellite. The proprietary ground segment infrastructure provides redundancy and reliability during the LEOP mission phase, and the versatile service can be easily integrated into a third-party service bundle such as D-Orbit’s ION CubeSat Carrier.

“The integration of LEOP services into our offering completes our launch, deployment and commissioning services, bringing us closer to our goal of becoming the point of reference for space transportation and logistics in the New Space market,” said Renato Panesi, CCO of D-Orbit.

According to company officials, the new suite of services will be announced soon.

About D-Orbit

D-Orbit is a New Space company with solutions covering the entire life cycle of a space mission, including mission analysis and design, engineering, manufacturing, integration, testing, launch, and end-of-life decommissioning. Headquartered in Como, Italy, D-Orbit has subsidiaries in Lisbon, Portugal, and Washington DC, USA.