RIDE! Books Over One Metric Ton of Smallsat Missions in Three Months

RIDE!, a European launch services provider, has announced that it has contracted more than one metric ton of smallsat capacity since it opened capacity for 2028 three months ago*. This includes the British operators Global Satellite Vu (SatVu) and NewOrbit, as well as the recently announced Indian company TakeMe2Space, and several other unnamed customers. These small satellites are scheduled for launch in 2028.

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RIDE!’s rideshare program is a series of regularly scheduled rideshare missions that RIDE! manages end to end for the customer. The European company provides capacity through different launch providers in Europe, Asia, and America. The first two manifested missions are scheduled for 2028. 

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SatVu, the London-based thermal intelligence company, NewOrbit, the VLEO British satellite operator, and TakeMe2Space, the first Indian orbital data center company, are scheduled to be launched in Q3 2028. Several undisclosed customers are scheduled to be launched in early 2028.

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The pace of bookings reflects the practical implications of the current state of access to space. According to Novaspace, 16,500 satellites must be launched by 2035 and the launch supply cannot keep up with this increasing demand. Operators who used to book a launch 12 months in advance are now securing capacity two to three years in advance.

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Valentin Benoit, CEO of RIDE! says: “RIDE!’s core mission is to empower the global satellite ecosystem with streamlined access to space. This is particularly critical in today’s access-to-space landscape, where launch capacity scarcity has become a real challenge for satellite operators and constellation developers. 

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Over the past months, RIDE! has secured massive launch capacity across multiple launch vehicles. Through our Exclusive Rideshare Programs, we have enabled the strategic space roadmaps of SatVu, NewOrbit, TakeMe2Space, and many other valued customers. We are now looking to further expand our capacity positions across the launch market over the coming months."

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"With launch to Low Earth Orbit severely constrained in the next two years, it was imperative to secure launch slots for HotSats 4 and 5 to further improve our customers' access to 3.5m WMIR thermal intelligence. By making launch available to small satellite operators, RIDE has helped us ensure we once again double the imaging capacity available to our customers, in a time of global crises. We look forward to working with the RIDE team as our spacecraft roll off the production line and get ready for launch."- said Anthony Baker, CEO of SatVu

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