RIDE! Secures One Ton of capacity on SEOPS Waymaker Rideshare Program with Inaugural Mission in 2028

RIDE! has secured 1,000 kilograms of allocated capacity through Waymaker-1 mission, part of SEOPS’ managed low Earth orbit rideshare program. Through this early commitment, RIDE! will make Waymaker-1 capacity available to European satellite operators and its broader international customer base. SEOPS has signed a contract with SpaceX for a Falcon 9 mission to launch the inaugural Waymaker-1 mission in 2028.

The agreement between RIDE! and SEOPS covers 1,000 kilograms of Waymaker-1 capacity across familiar standard capacity portions (quarter, half, full, and XL-ports) to accommodate a range of satellite sizes, with the option to scale mass utilization based on demand.

The launch market is tightening on both sides of the Atlantic. Wait times between booking and launch now run 36 months, compared with 12 months a year ago, as manifests at major launch providers fill faster than ever. By securing capacity early through the Waymaker-1 program, RIDE! is creating a clearer launch pathway for customers navigating a tightening rideshare market. The arrangement strengthens RIDE!’s ability to serve European and international satellite operators through its global launch services network.

‍“The Waymaker rideshare program is a game-changer for the entire smallsat ecosystem. Access to space is more constrained than ever and is becoming an increasingly vital resource for satellite operators. RIDE!’s mission is to provide the most affordable, convenient, and reliable launch experience, and this 1-ton capacity is clearly a first step toward unlocking greater access to space, including for critical European payloads. More is yet to come. I would also like to publicly thank the SEOPS executive team for their trust and especially Chad Brinkley, Evan Hoyt, Brad Whitfield, and Mike Johnson,” said Valentin Benoit, Chief Executive Officer of RIDE!

The Waymaker-1 capacity adds to RIDE!’s manifest of more than 45 executed launch contracts across its 35+ launch provider network.

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ABOUT RIDE!

‍RIDE! is a Paris-based launch services company providing end-to-end mission management for satellite operators. Through its network of 35+ launch providers across North America, Europe, and Asia, RIDE! coordinates every step of the launch process for clients in over 50 countries. Founded in 2020, the company holds framework agreements with more than 7 launch providers, launched 45+ payloads, and is supported by the European Space Agency and CNES.