It’s lift-off for satellite builders’ latest rideshare mission, with multiple clients using a single craft

Alton’s In-Space Missions has been awarded a grant from the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund to help launch Faraday Dragon, providing regular in-orbit payload rideshare missions.

The project represents an Asia-Pacific regional and multi-agency technology and business accelerator programme.

In-Space Missions plans to use the funds in setting up collaborations and the mission definition for Faraday Dragon, both of which are essential parts of the process.

Data generated by the payloads on board the Faraday Dragon satellite can be used by all participants, based in countries including Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Taiwan. Partners from the UK will also be able to use said data.

Doug Liddle, CEO of In-Space Missions, said: “With the Asia-Pacific region being a current focus of UK space export growth, In-Space Missions is thrilled to be leading this bold endeavour to unlock low-cost, predictable space flight and increase technology readiness levels for novel and innovative technologies from the region.

“Our Faraday Rideshare programmes, where multiple customers share one satellite platform, is a more sustainable way to do space missions and we are committed to limiting space debris in this way and supporting the sustainability aims of the UK Space Agency.”

In-Space Missions, a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems, launched the concept for Faraday Dragon at the Global Space Technology Forum held in Singapore in February.

The discussions have already identified mutual areas of interest for the first mission including: agricultural monitoring, low-cost and accessible connectivity, radio frequency observation and processing, and disaster monitoring.

Immediate benefits of the programme are financial, with partners benefitting from Faraday’s reduced costs for flying payloads.

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, added: “Working with other space agencies and organisations across the globe allows us to draw on skills that enhance our homegrown expertise, drive up investment in the UK, and support world-class science and discovery.

“In-Space Mission’s work with industry partners across the Asia-Pacific region highlights the many ways in which we can collaborate with the global space community to help humanity push the boundaries of space innovation and unlock commercial opportunities that will benefit our economy now and in the future.”

• in-space.co.uk