Arianespace signs up for RIDE!
September 18, 2023
By Chris Forrester
RIDE! is something of a clearing house for satellite manufacturers. Arianespace has signed a contract with the startup RIDE! to integrate its launchers into their on-demand digital launch platform.
Founded in 2021, RIDE! offers a service that allows satellite manufacturers and operators to easily identify available slots on launchers based on their satellite’s technical characteristics and requirements. The French startup has over 300 satellite and launcher partners worldwide. Its goal, it says, is “To revolutionise space access by simplifying it.”
This agreement will make it possible to include available launch opportunities, especially for small satellites, on the Ariane 6 and Vega C launchers operated by Arianespace.
On its part, Arianespace said: “Mindful of meeting the needs of a growing number of smallsat projects, offers a tailored standard launch service for small payloads with shared launch missions aboard Vega and Vega C. A first ‘concept validation’ shared launch mission aboard Vega took place successfully on September 2, 2020, with a total of 53 smallsats/cubesats thanks to the Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) module. The SSMS service will soon be complemented by the Multiple Launch Service (MLS), a similar offering on Ariane 6, allowing Arianespace to increase affordable launch opportunities for small satellites. The solution offered by RIDE! came at the right time for Arianespace.”
Valentin Benoit, CEO of RIDE!, added: “Arianespace is a global leader in space launch, so it was important for RIDE! to be able to offer Vega C and Ariane 6 flights on its digital platform. RIDE!’s vision of providing a simple, reliable, and affordable launch experience aligns perfectly with Arianespace’s rideshare strategy. Through this agreement, I also hope to demonstrate to the entire ecosystem that contracts between New Space startups and Legacy Space major players can be established sustainably and fairly. I hope this paves the way for more contracts of this kind.”