News

SEOPS Made Waves at Space Tech Expo Europe

As our team gets back to work after the holiday week, we’re reflecting on our week in Bremen at Space Tech Expo Europe. The SEOPS team was there in force, for a jam-packed few days as we solidified our importance in the EU space market. We were happy to be a Platinum sponsor of the event, and it was great to see our logo throughout the conference guide and on all the show attendees’ badges.

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We had two big announcements: 

• Our new partnership with Axient Systems, which expanded our launch and capacity services to Europe.

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• Our purchase of a Falcon 9 headed to GTO, creating much-needed capacity for our clients looking to go to this orbit.

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We received great press coverage of our news from SpaceNews and Payload.

From Payload: SEOPS Enters EU Market with Axient Systems Partnership

From SpaceNews: SEOPS buys Falcon 9 launch for GTO rideshare mission

A highlight was our well-attended Fireside Chat with Jeff Foust, senior writer at Space News, where they discussed the topics in the space industry that are getting media attention, and what the foreseeable trends are in that area. 

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CEO Chad Brinkley participated in an on-the-floor interview about trends and developments in the new space economy. 

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Behind the scenes, the team met with many of the key players and partners in the industry, as we continue our rapid scaling as the industry leader in launch services worldwide.

Many thanks to the Space Tech Expo team who helped coordinate our participation in the event: Gordon, Joanna, Margherita, and Phoebe. It was a pleasure to work with you!

There is one more big announcement coming out of Bremen. We signed an LOI with a disruptive, innovative US-based aerospace manufacturer with industry-leading automotive roots that will dramatically scale production of flight hardware to meet exponential growth in the new space economy. We can’t wait to share more in the near future!

See you next year, Bremen.

CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT : C3S’ WREN-1

Monitoring Climate and Drought Impact on Crops

Ambitious Hungarian space company C3S LLC has designed and developed an innovative smallsat called the Water Resources in Efficient Networks (WREN-1). While small in physical stature, the 6U satellite’s mission is quite large: to serve as the first member of a constellation that will provide a prompt decision support system for climate adaptation, drought prevention, and yield forecasting.

The satellite features a high-performance camera system that captures multiple pictures of the planet, whereas the ground system incorporates a network of sensors. Both the images taken by WREN-1 and the local data provided by the sensors are fed to mathematical models based on geographical information and artificial intelligence to facilitate the purpose of the mission.

“SEOPS’ expertise, flexibility, and prompt service have played a pivotal role in the success of our satellite launch initiatives.” – Gyula Horváth, CEO at C3S

“WREN-1 is an on-orbit demonstration spacecraft designed to provide data from taking hyperspectral images, processing those images onboard, and then downlinking that data to compare it with sensors on the ground,” said Gergő Kiss, Chief Quality Officer at C3S LLC. “If the data matches, it will be extremely insightful for scientists, first in Hungary and hopefully with governments around the world. They’ll be able to assess the impact of climate change on crops, monitor drought, and use this data for more accurate forecasting.”

One Launch Goes Away, Another Surfaces (Quickly)

The 6U smallsat launched into space aboard the SpaceX Transporter-11 mission in August 2024. And while the launch was executed perfectly, the year leading up to it was anything but smooth for C3S. 

Months before the targeted launch date, C3S learned its original launch services provider could no longer fulfill the contract. The launch deal collapsed and they found themselves with a spacecraft over 10,000 kilometers away in California with no launch contract or integration team to ensure it was manifested on the Falcon 9. “Missing this summer launch window would have big implications for our mission,” said Kiss. “The later the launch slipped into fall or even winter, the fewer opportunities we’d have to take pictures from space due to weather changes, jeopardizing the mission’s core objectives.”

The C3S team quickly evaluated alternative launch options and began the process of securing a new contract, forming a partnership with France’s RIDE! to facilitate the effort. This collaboration allowed them to move forward effectively and ensure the continuity of the project.

“At RIDE!, our mission is to provide smallsat operators with the most reliable, convenient, and affordable access to space,” said Valentin Benoit, CEO at RIDE! “As a global leader in launch brokerage and end-to-end mission management, we streamline the process through our platform and exclusive partnerships with 35+ launch providers, including SEOPS. Whether it’s for a single cubesat or an entire constellation, our expertise helps clients save time, reduce costs, and meet all regulatory requirements.”

SEOPS has Entered the (Launch) Chat

RIDE! arranged to find C3S’s access in short notice onto Transporter-11 via SEOPS. “This underscores how our shared values of flexibility and customer dedication drive our success. It’s a perfect example of the long-term, impactful collaboration we’re building with SEOPS,” added Benoit.

Having years of experience facilitating SpaceX missions, the SEOPS team immediately stepped in to accommodate the WREN-1 spacecraft on its existing Transporter-11 manifest.

Gyula Horváth, CEO at C3S, commented, “The SEOPS team demonstrated remarkable flexibility and professionalism, especially considering the unusual circumstances and timing requirements for our mission. They were steadfast in their support, adapting seamlessly to meet our evolving needs. We’re thankful for their unwavering commitment to ensure WREN-1 gets on orbit on schedule.”

“What sets SEOPS apart is their deep launch experience,” added Kiss. “Their team knows what to do – from handling the technical aspects of deployment to the ever-critical regulatory issues like export control. Their calm demeanor and ability to guide us through the process step-by-step gave us the confidence we needed.”

Next up for C3S are two missions slated to launch on an upcoming Transporter mission, both of which are supported by SEOPS. One mission involves a 12U commercial satellite which will carry a telescope for scientific purposes. The second involves two individual 3U cubesats fastened together with a separation mechanism. Once on orbit, they’ll uncouple, fly independently, and test communications between spacecraft as well as run collision avoidance and deorbiting procedures.

Horváth added, “SEOPS’ expertise, flexibility, and prompt service have played a pivotal role in the success of our satellite launch initiatives.” 

SEOPS IS OPENING NEW FRONTIERS

At SEOPS, we’re opening a new frontier to expand responsive space access and we’re excited to bring our customers along on the journey. For nearly a decade, we have been quietly working with U.S. government and commercial clients and now we’re setting our sights on the burgeoning frontier of the European Space sector. Our debut at the upcoming SpaceTech Expo in Bremen, Germany marks a pivotal moment as we aim to showcase SEOPS’ capabilities and track record to a wider audience.

Much like the pioneers who ventured into the American frontier with unwavering determination and rugged perseverance, the SEOPS team approaches the new frontier of space with the same bold vision and unrelenting drive. We embrace, and frankly thrive, on the challenges of expanding space access with resilience and adaptability, ensuring that each of our customer missions reflects our commitment to success.

Here are three guiding principles that define SEOPS as we deliver solutions for our customers: 

# 1 Relentless Drive for Our Customers

While many companies claim they are dedicated to their customers, true commitment is rare. At SEOPS, we forge long-term relationships with our clients, demonstrating a work ethic and “get it done” attitude reminiscent of our pioneering predecessors. Our relentless pursuit of mission success is evident in every project we undertake, as we continuously push the boundaries of space access.

# 2 Adapt to Succeed

In the realm of rideshare and integration systems, many launch service providers are focused on selling their own hardware or deployers because it makes their jobs easier. SEOPS takes a different approach. We remain agnostic about launch vehicles and hardware, prioritizing our customers’ goals over our own convenience. We have experience working with many different launch vehicles and deployment systems (and have developed our own as well). So whether you need a specific launch vehicle or deployment system, we are committed to finding the best solution for your mission.

# 3 Simple Solutions, Sophisticated Results

Our solutions are straightforward and effective. We avoid over-engineering and focus on delivering simple, results-driven solutions. Whether customers require a custom deployer, an OTV for a unique orbital drop-off, or standard integration service, our team has decades of experience and has overseen the successful deployment of more than 400 spacecraft. For nearly a decade, SEOPS has been a trusted partner to the U.S. government and commercial customers, providing reliable rideshare and integration services – and we’re just getting started.

SEOPS is ready to serve the space community as it ventures beyond LEO, to GEO and cislunar destinations. With a legacy of success and past performance, we’re ready to share our story and prove our value to a wider audience. 

We’re looking forward to seeing many of you in Bremen and continuing to share our story. We’re excited to embark on this new journey with you.

Chad Brinkley

cbrinkley@seops.space

Who is Ready for Transporter-11?

We’re excited to support five spacecraft and a hosted payload on SpaceX’s upcoming Transporter-11 Rideshare mission, which is targeted to lift off on a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California this summer.
On this mission, we’re supporting the mission management and integration of five government and commercial payloads from three countries – the United States, Italy and Hungary.

In addition, we’re flying our patented ‘soft-ride’ deployment system, Ghost Trap, for the first time. READ MORE about how it reduces vibrations and decreases the stress load, creating a more protected and secure environment, without the need for additional adapters or isolators. We also share how it got its nefarious-sounding name – if you can’t guess.

It’s been a busy integration process, but we couldn’t be more excited to see these organizations get their spacecraft on orbit!

a closer look at the payloads on Transporter-11:

NASA’s Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator-4 (PTD-4) is part of the tech demonstrator series to test new subsystem technologies to increase small spacecraft capabilities. The spacecraft will demonstrate a very high-power, low-volume deployable solar array with an integrated antenna called the Lightweight Integrated Solar Array and anTenna, or LISA-T. PTD-4 is a partnership between NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate’s Small Spacecraft Technology (SST) program (which resides at NASA’s Ames Research Center), NASA’s Launch Services Program, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and Terran Orbital Corporation.

NASA’s Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator-R (PTD-R) will demonstrate simultaneous ultraviolet and short-wave infrared optical sensing from space for the first time via two 85-mm aperture monolithic telescopes mounted side-by-side, using a new compact custom electronics module and a novel, lightweight, carbon-composite optical housing and radiator. The PTD-R mission also is part of the PTD series of technology demonstration missions funded and managed by NASA’s SST program and in partnership with NASA’s Launch Services Program, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Terran Orbital Corporation.

Train Rapid On-Orbit Payload (TROOP-F2): NearSpace Launch’s TROOP-F2 is a hosted payload program that offers four payloads access to space every six months. It’s designed to provide affordable and rapid turns on research iterations, a consistent opportunity to increase technology readiness level numbers, and a variety of testing pathways. On this mission, TROOP-F2 will beta testing several new cutting-edge technologies.

Matthew Voss, Chief Operation Officer at NearSpace Launch, added, “SEOPS has been a fantastic partner with NearSpace in achieving its goal of launching systems every six months. They are reliable, accommodating, and in every sense a true mission partner.”

In addition, TROOP-F2 carries a hosted payload for Celestis, a memorial and space burial services provider, whose Harmony Flight includes a symbolic portion of the cremated remains or DNA of 62 flight participants as it orbits the Earth – eventually reentering the Earth’s atmosphere as a shooting star, burning up entirely.

Iperdrone: Funded by the Italian Space Agency and developed by an entirely Italian consortium composed by Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali (Prime Contractor), Tyvak International (spacecraft developer and integrator) and Kayser Italia(Ground and Safety), the Iperdrone spacecraft will demonstrate proximity operations for space assets, visual inspection, and a controlled re-entry in a pre-defined corridor. This will be done through critical technologies developed in the frame of the project such as navigation cameras and cold gas propulsion systems.

Water Resources in Efficient Networks (WREN-1): From Hungarian space company CS3 LLC, the WREN-1 mission is a real-time decision support system for climate adaptation, drought prevention, and yield forecasting. The satellite features a high-performance camera system that captures multiple pictures of the planet, whereas the ground system incorporates a network of sensors. Both the images taken by WREN-1 and the local data provided by the sensors are fed to mathematical models based on geographical information and artificial intelligence to facilitate the purpose of the mission.

SEOPS was able to accommodate the WREN-1 spacecraft on its manifest, via a partnership with France’s RIDE!, when C3S was forced to change their original launch plans. Gyula Horváth, CEO at C3S LLC, commented, ” SEOPS’ expertise, flexibility, and prompt service have played a pivotal role in the success of our satellite launch initiatives. As we look forward to the next phase of our mission, we remain confident in SEOPS’s capabilities and look forward to continued collaboration!” 

If you would like the power of partnering with SEOPS on your next mission, let us know!
Contact us at info@seopsllc.com