Astranis plans dedicated Falcon 9 for six MicroGEO satellites in 2028
Astranis upgraded its SpaceX contract to a dedicated Falcon 9 for its Block 4 mission in 2028.
Astranis has upgraded to a dedicated Falcon 9 to launch its fourth batch of satellites. The company announced on 26 October that it expects to launch six MicroGEO satellites in 2028, injected directly to geostationary orbit using an Impulse Space Helios upper stage.
Astranis upgraded a contract signed with SpaceX in late 2024 to take all payload capacity on the mission. The "Block 4" mission will launch Astranis satellites 11 through 16. The company says it has signed a number of initial customers for the launch, who have not been announced.
Astranis launched a dedicated Falcon 9 mission in late 2024 and is preparing for the Block 3 launch in the first quarter of 2027. Block 3's current customers are Thaicom, Chunghwa Telecom, Apco Networks, MB Group and stc group.
CEO and co-founder John Gedmark said Astranis has only just begun to ramp up production to meet demand for commercial and national security missions.
Sourcesatellitetoday.com