The agreements strengthen Orbit2Orbit’s growing international launch network and reinforce the company’s strategy of providing flexible, technology-agnostic pathways for organisations seeking to test and validate emerging space technologies.
Lab2Space has been developed as a structured program designed to help customers transition research hardware, sensors, advanced materials and technology demonstrators from the laboratory into operational flight environments.
Rather than focusing solely on launch services, the program guides payload developers through a staged validation process encompassing stratospheric, sub-orbital and, ultimately, orbital missions. Orbit2Orbit supports customers throughout the process using its Payload Housing Unit, SPINE integration architecture, mission readiness framework and campaign management expertise.
The addition of Equatorial Space Systems and Stellar Kinetics as non-exclusive launch partners significantly expands the range of vehicles, launch locations and mission profiles available to customers.
By broadening its provider network, Orbit2Orbit aims to reduce dependence on individual launch vehicles, countries or campaign schedules, allowing payloads to be matched with the most suitable mission based on technical requirements, regulatory considerations and program timelines.
Orbit2Orbit founder and chief executive officer Bradley Hatton-Jones said the company’s objective is to remove one of the biggest barriers facing emerging space technologies: access to flight opportunities.
“Lab2Space exists because too much promising hardware gets stuck on the bench,” Hatton-Jones said.
“Our goal is to give customers a structured pathway to test, learn, improve and fly again. By working with launch providers such as Equatorial Space Systems and Stellar Kinetics, we can provide more flexibility and reduce the bottleneck that comes from relying on one vehicle, one country or one campaign window.”
Under the agreements, Orbit2Orbit will work with both launch providers across areas, including payload qualification, technical integration, campaign planning, SPINE architecture compatibility, vehicle interface assessments and schedule coordination.
Individual flight campaigns will remain subject to payload readiness, technical compatibility, launch provider assessment, safety and regulatory approvals, insurance requirements and campaign-specific commercial arrangements.
The partnerships also support Orbit2Orbit’s longer-term ambition of developing repeatable pathways that enable payload developers to progress from concept through to operational space missions.
According to the company, Lab2Space is intended to serve as a technology maturation platform rather than simply a launch booking service, helping organisations reduce technical risk, gather flight heritage and build confidence before committing to more complex orbital missions.
Beyond supporting customers, each campaign also contributes to Orbit2Orbit’s own long-term development plans, providing opportunities to mature its payload integration systems, operational procedures, customer readiness processes and partner ecosystem as it works towards future in-space transport and logistics capabilities.
“Capability is built by flying,” Hatton-Jones said.
“Every campaign teaches us something. Every payload that leaves the lab and enters a real flight environment moves the whole ecosystem forward.”
Following the signing of the MOUs, Orbit2Orbit will update its Lab2Space campaign schedule to reflect the expanded launch opportunities now available through its international partner network.
The company is also calling for expressions of interest from universities, research institutions, defence-adjacent technology companies, advanced manufacturers, materials developers, sensor manufacturers and other organisations seeking access to real-world flight testing.
Orbit2Orbit said organisations requiring environmental testing, flight heritage, payload integration, sub-orbital validation or a structured pathway towards future orbital missions are encouraged to participate in upcoming Lab2Space campaigns.
The expansion represents another step in the company’s broader vision of developing the infrastructure and operational capabilities required to support Australia’s growing role in the global space economy, including reusable in-space transport, hosted payload services, payload integration and future station-to-station logistics.
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