Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc. And Spire Global Inc., Jalin Cooperation Joint Satellite

JAKARTA - Satellite launch companies, Virgin Orbit Holdings Inc, and Spire Global Inc signed a deal in which the satellite operator will purchase several launch missions from Virgin over the years, starting in 2023. The deal was announced by Richard Branson's company on Wednesday, October 12.

🎶 Start it up 🎶 This week, #LauncherOne will depart sunny California for our launch later this year @SpaceCornwall. Officially titled “Start Me Up,” after the @RollingStones 1981 hit released on Virgin Records, the mission is “starting up” the UK’s orbital launch capabilities. pic.twitter.com/B9OLeyV012

— Virgin Orbit (@VirginOrbit) October 11, 2022

Spire Global, which wants to boost its space service business, said the deal provides flexibility and control over launches, instead of relying on the rideshare market where satellites will be launched with other large rockets.

Cannacord Genuity analyst Austin Moeller said the inaugural launch of Virgin Orbit in November from England is also very comfortable for Spire, who built its satellite in Glasgow, Scotland.

Earlier in January, Virgin Orbit, on the first successful mission since going public, brought satellites to Spire, the US Department of Defense, and Polish company SatRevolution.

Virgin put the satellite into orbit using a rocket, LauncherOne, mounted on a modified jumbo Boeing CO 747 jet, which is also equipped with the Cosmic Girl.

Virgin alone successfully launched the plane into orbit in June 2021 carrying Richard Branson, the owner with several of his colleagues.