The Launch Company to be Bought by Voyager Space Holdings
Voyager Space Holdings has announced its intent to acquire The Launch Company, subject to customary closing conditions. The Launch Company specializes in developing standardized hardware, ground support equipment, and processes to help next generation space companies gain access to orbit faster, cheaper, and more reliably.
"Voyager's proposal to acquire The Launch Company was an easy decision because it will allow us to scale up our services even more rapidly while also giving us the ability to focus on that growth rather than spending resources on the time-consuming requirements that running a growing business entails.
Ben Kellie, CEO and founder of The Launch Company.
The Launch Company has worked with Virgin Orbit, Relativity Space, Firefly Space, Altius Space Machines, Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska, Aurora Launch Services, and more, while also participating in the DARPA Launch Challenge. This will be Voyager's first acquisition in the launch category, a crucial component in the space supply chain.
"Reliable, affordable access to space starts at the launch site. With the continued growth and increasing frequency of commercial launches in the U.S., we've seen the demand for our products and services take off," said Ben Kellie, CEO and founder of The Launch Company. "Voyager's proposal to acquire The Launch Company was an easy decision because it will allow us to scale up our services even more rapidly while also giving us the ability to focus on that growth rather than spending resources on the time-consuming requirements that running a growing business entails. We are grateful for Voyager's partnership and are eager to see what we can achieve together."
Based in Anchorage, Alaska, The Launch Company was established to help both NewSpace commercial clients, as well as DOD and USAF assets, get to space faster and more affordably by streamlining the launch process, in part through automation. The company is working to build the world's first multi-user mobile launch site to help fill the gap between launch site demand and availability. They were recently selected among the top finalists in this year's AFWERX Challenge and are pursuing a prototype of their site design. The Launch Company's goal with this new site is to be able to service the widest range of launch vehicles in the market, including small to large vehicles for both launch and landing operations.
"The need for affordable, reliable and efficient launch services continues to grow in lockstep with the expansion of the launch sector and the rest of the overall commercial space sector. Since Voyager was created, launch services has always been a capability that we have liked and we have now found a partner that fits the mold perfectly," said Matthew Kuta, president and COO of Voyager Space Holdings. "The work Ben and the rest of the team at The Launch Company are doing to transform the launch industry is incredibly exciting and we are eager to support their expansion."
Led by Matthew Kuta and Dylan Taylor, Voyager seeks to increase vertical integration and mission capability to enable humanity's most ambitious projects. In addition to The Launch Company, this year Voyager has acquired Pioneer Astronautics and Altius Space Machines.
(Source: Voyager Space Holdings news release)