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A space tug is a type of spacecraft used to transfer spaceborne cargo from one orbit to another orbit with different energy characteristics. The term can include expendable upper stages or spacecraft that are not necessarily a part of their launch vehicle. However, it can also refer to a spacecraft that transports payload already in space to another location in outer space, such as in the Space Transportation System concept. An example would be moving a spacecraft from a low Earth orbit (LEO) to a higher-energy orbit like a geostationary transfer orbit, a lunar transfer, or an escape trajectory.
Busek Company Incorporated is an American spacecraft propulsion company that builds thrusters, electronics, and various systems for spacecraft.
Secondary payload, also known as rideshare payload, is a smaller-sized payload transported to orbit on a launch vehicle that is mostly paid for—and with the date and time of launch and the orbital trajectory determined—by the entity that contracts and pays for the primary launch. As a result, the secondary payload typically obtains a substantially reduced price for transportation services to orbit, by accepting a trade off of the loss of control once the contract is signed and the payload is delivered to the launch vehicle supplier for integration to the launch vehicle. These tradeoffs typically include having little or no control over the launch date/time, the final orbital parameters, or the ability to halt the launch and remove the payload should a payload failure occur during ground processing prior to launch, as the primary payload typically purchases all of these launch property rights via contract with the launch services provider.
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This article documents expected notable spaceflight events during the 2020s.
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Launcher was an American aerospace company based in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in New York City in 2017 by Max Haot.
D-Orbit is a private aerospace company headquartered in Italy with subsidiaries in Portugal, UK, US and a joint venture in the US, D-Orbit USA.
Momentus Inc, sometimes styled Momentus space, is an American spaceflight company founded by Mikhail Kokorich which plans to offer space infrastructure services in the form of on-orbit services. The company advertises three orbital tug services which are based around spacecraft electric propulsion and vary in payload mass and Delta-v. As of late 2022 the company has launched one demonstration mission, which produced mixed results.
Impulse Space was founded in 2021 by Tom Mueller, employee No.1 at SpaceX and engineer of the Merlin and Draco rocket engines that power the Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft. The company develops in-space transportation services for satellites that fly to Low Earth Orbit then need to reach other orbits.
Starfish Space is an American satellite company focused on space rendezvous and satellite servicing based in the Seattle metropolitan area. It was founded in 2019 by Austin Link and Dr. Trevor Bennett, both former engineers at Blue Origin. Starfish Space is developing the Otter spacecraft, designed for satellite servicing. The first three Otter vehicles are scheduled for launch in 2026 with missions planned for NASA, U.S. Space Force and Intelsat.
References
- 1 2 Foust, Jeff (February 7, 2023). "Exotrail raises $58 million to expand space logistics services".
- ↑ Henry, Caleb (July 16, 2020). "French startup Exotrail raises $13 million for propulsion, space software and on-orbit transport systems".
- ↑ Erwin, Sandra (January 31, 2024). "Exotrail developing space tug to carry small satellites to geostationary orbit".
- ↑ Foust, Jeff (March 6, 2024). "Exotrail deploys first satellite from orbital transfer vehicle".
- ↑ "Exotrail Completes In-Orbit Delivery of a Commercial Satellite".
- ↑ Foust, Jeff (August 8, 2023). "Exotrail establishes U.S. presence".
