SpaceDev Unveils Microsatellite Bus and Launch Package

POWAY, CA, Dec. 13, 2005/Satnews Daily/ — SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV) said on Monday it has made commercial launches of microsatellites and nanosatellites available for less than $20 million in less than 20 months with the introduction of the SpaceDev Mission Xcelerator Solution Program. 

“We are committed to providing rapid, reliable, low-cost access to space, as reinforced by the price and performance standards embodied in our recently announced SpaceDev Modular Microsatellite Bus (the SpaceDev MMB-100),” said Jim Benson, founding chairman and CEO of SpaceDev.

“Our new Mission Xcelerator™ Solution Program combines the MMB-100 and a rocket launch vehicle with payload integration services, launch management services and one year of mission support services at a price never before offered – less than $20 million, with an inception to launch target of 20 months.”

“This is an exciting development for the emerging low-cost space market,” said Bill McCoy, CEO of New Galaxy Enterprises and an aerospace industry analyst. “SpaceDev is developing a reputation for aggressively attacking the traditional barriers to space: high cost, complexity and long lead times.”

He added their novel hybrid rockets and innovative microsatellite designs have provided functionality at a fraction of the historical cost. They are also extending their aggressive approach to satellite and rocket design into payload integration, launch services and mission operations.

SpaceDev recently announced that it signed a contract with SpaceX of El Segundo, CA for the purchase of a Falcon I launch vehicle that SpaceDev intends to use to launch multiple microsatellite payloads and nanosatellite payloads that my be produced by SpaceDev or other suppliers in a launch scheduled for May 2008.  Additional optional launches may follow. 

“We are anxiously awaiting the successful testing of the SpaceX Falcon I launch vehicle, which is an important component of our initial Mission Xcelerator™ Solution Program offering. With it, SpaceDev has the capability to design, build, integrate and launch low-cost, high-performance micro- and nano-satellites,” said Kevin Heath, SpaceDev’s business development manager. “SpaceDev now uniquely offers one-stop shopping for responsive, affordable and reliable access to space for a wide variety of payloads,” he said.

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