IAI is teaming with Effective Space to build small spacecraft and will also invest in the Israeli startup.
Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) (TASE: ARSP.B1) and Effective Space , which pioneers last mile logistics in space, today announced that they have signed a term sheet for technical and financial cooperation. Under the terms of the agreement, Effective Space will appoint IAI as the primary contractor of its Space Drone spacecraft, while IAI will work to complete the necessary approvals for equity investment in Effective Space.
The agreement come after more than a year of cooperation, during which both companies have been jointly working on the Space Drone spacecraft design.
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Effective Space is developing a 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 patented technology for rendezvous and docking to satellites in space through a small spacecraft called Space Drone.
The company’s first contract, signed in 2017 with an international satellite operator, will see two Space Drone spacecraft launched in 2020 to extend the life of two existing satellites, and is expected to generate revenues of more than $100 million.
"This partnership is an excellent example of the added value in the connection between IAI - Israel's largest aerospace company - with startups 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 DRONE™ 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.”
The design of the Space Drone spacecraft is a result of decades of experience in the field of small satellites. ‘Phase One’ services will see the spacecraft dock with existing satellites in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit that are reaching the end of their normal life expectancy. The SPACE DRONE™ 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, founded in 2013, has raised $15 million to date.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 12, 2018
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