Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed a cooperation agreement with New Space satellite servicing company Effective Space where IAI will be the prime contractor for Effective Space’s SPACE DRONETM capability in return for IAI securing equity investment for Effective Space.
Effective Space is developing a unique, small spacecraft to extend the life of satellites in orbit, based on the vision to provide logistics services in the rapidly growing space economy. To this end, it has developed a unique and patented technology for rendezvous and docking to satellites in space through a small spacecraft called SPACE DRONETM.
Effective Space is pioneering a new era in last-mile logistics in space that will see its SPACE DRONETM spacecraft fleet deployed to provide auxiliary services to space assets. Initial services to be provided by Effective Space will be life-extension for satellites in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit. The company’s first contract, signed in 2017 with an international satellite operator, will see two SPACE DRONETM spacecraft launched in 2020 to extend the life of two existing satellites, and is expected to generate revenues of more than U.S.$100 million.
“This partnership is an excellent example of the added value in the connection between IAI – Israel’s largest aerospace company – with start-ups and the world of innovative technologies and business entrepreneurship,” said Nimrod Sheffer, IAI’s CEO. “IAI’s vast experience and its expertise in the development and manufacturing of small, light and fast satellites, and the innovative concept of Effective Space, has the potential for significant business activity.”
“IAI is globally recognised as a leader in the development and construction of commercial satellite technologies, and in particular, those with high performance and a small form factor,” said Arie Halsband, Founder and CEO, Effective Space. “IAI’s intention to directly invest in Effective Space is a strong endorsement of our SPACE DRONETM programme and an indication of the potential return for investors from this new era of logistics in space and in-space robotics. For both strategic and growth investors, logistics in space is a new and exciting opportunity.”
Effective Space, founded in 2013, has already raised U.S.$15 million in previous funding rounds and the IAI cooperation agreement is expected to help the company raise further funds.
The SPACE DRONETM spacecraft will provide station-keeping and attitude-control, relocation, deorbiting, orbit, and inclination correction, and is capable of providing up to 15 years of overall life-extension service. Effective Space intends to introduce a fleet of SPACE DRONETM spacecraft over the coming years.
