constellr and Exolaunch Sign Multi-Launch Agreement to Deploy A Cutting-Edge Microsat Constellation for The AgTech Industry

Insider Brief:

• constelIr and Exolaunch sigend a multi-launch agreement for constelIr’s high precision versatile ecosphere monitoring (HiVE) microsat constellation.
• The HiVE constellation will provide warning to AgTech companies of plant stress from temperature-induced evapotranspiration.
• The first two operational and commercial satellites are planned to launch in 2024.

PRESS RELEASE — Berlin & Freiburg/ March 2, 2023 — Two German NewSpace companies – constelIr, a pioneer in space-based water, temperature and carbon measurement for the agricultural sector, and Exolaunch, a global provider of launch, deployment and in-space logistics services, have announced the signing of the multi-launch agreement (MLA) for constelIr’s high precision versatile ecosphere monitoring (HiVE) microsat constellation.

The HiVE constellation is designed to provide advanced warning to AgTech companies of plant stress from temperature-induced evapotranspiration. This data enables farmers and the AgTech industry at large to achieve “more crop per drop,” minimizing water waste while maximizing crop output.

The first two operational and commercial satellites of the HiVE constellation are planned to launch to Sun Synchronous Orbit in 2024. Both microsats feature constelIr’s state-of-the-art cryocooled long-wave infrared (LWIR) instruments, which are capable of mapping Earth’s land surface temperature with unprecedented precision. These missions mark the first time a cryocooled LWIR sensor will be deployed into space aboard a microsat.

constellr sought out Exolaunch as a trusted partner that guarantees seamless service via the most secure and reliable launchers on the market. With a proven track of 18 successful missions and 269 satellites flown, constellr regards Exolaunch as its ideal launch partner to oversee its entire launch mission management, including integration and Launch and Early Orbit phase (LEOP). Exolaunch’s innovative separation system CarboNIX, flown on 11 missions so far with a record of 49 microsats launched, guarantees low-shock separation and smooth orbit injection for both of constellr’s microsats.

“Our entire team is excited to move forward with the launch preparation activities and this multi- launch agreement marks a big milestone in our constellation development and deployment” says Dr. Riccardo Benvenuto, HiVE Programme Director at constellr. “We couldn’t feel safer with Exolaunch as our partner. We already have a great relationship and given their expertise and long-track record of successful launches, we trust them to deploy our HiVE microsatellites smoothly and safely into orbit.”

“We are honoured to be awarded a launch contract by constellr and assist a leader in a field as important to 21st century agriculture and society as global land surface temperature monitoring,” says Connor Pollock, Mission Director at Exolaunch. “Moreover, this MLA demonstrates the increasing synergy of the German NewSpace industry.”