Dec 13, 20232 min read

BlackStar Orbital and Phantom Space Announce Collaboration for BlackStar-C Launches in 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Orlando, FL – December 13th, 2023. At the SFA Spacepower conference on Wednesday, it was announced that BlackStar Orbital Technologies Corporation and Phantom Space Corporation have executed a Memorandum of Understanding towards a series of upcoming space launches. The first of these, featuring BlackStar Orbital's BlackStar-C Spaceplane, is targeting the fourth quarter of 2025.

The Mission:

The upcoming mission will launch the BlackStar-C into a Low Earth Orbit with an expected launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This orbital demonstration flight will host customer payloads from the 2019 SpaceBox Campaign with additional slots available. This mission underscores BlackStar Orbital's commitment to customer service and its capacity for executing complex space missions with it's modular spaceplane architecture.

Follow-Up Missions:

An undisclosed number of follow-up missions are planned starting in the second quarter of 2026, launching BlackStar spacecraft into high inclination orbits. Utilizing the Daytona launch vehicle; these missions will further demonstrate the versatility of the BlackStar spacecraft with launches expected to be out of Vandenberg SFB.

"Partnering with Phantom Space marks a significant chapter in BlackStar's journey. The upcoming launch of BlackStar-C will serve as a testament to this Arizona lead collaboration. These missions will demonstrate our capability to serve the 21st century commercial and national security space customer; the first steps towards a future where advanced reusable spaceflight operations become more accessible and frequent,"

Christopher Jannette, CEO of BlackStar Orbital.

Engineered in The State of Arizona:

This collaboration between BlackStar Orbital and Phantom Space Corporation is a pivotal development for the growing Arizona aerospace community. This partnership will enable an Arizona bred mission combining advanced spacecraft design with top tier launch capabilities. This represents both companies' commitment to innovation within the AZ Sun corridor.

About Phantom Space Corporation:

Founded by inventors and entrepreneurs Jim Cantrell and Michael D’Angelo, Phantom Space Corporation is a space transportation company democratizing space access by mass manufacturing launch vehicles, satellites, and space propulsion systems. Phantom’s vision is to become the “Henry Ford of Space Transportation” through the opportunity to mass manufacture and launch 100s of rockets—a 100% US-controlled and operated enterprise headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with multiple launch operations centers.

Learn more at https://www.phantomspace.com/.

About BlackStar Orbital Technologies Corporation:

BlackStar Orbital Technologies Corporation specializes in the development of reconfigurable smallsat class spaceplanes, including the BlackStar-C spacecraft. The BlackStar-C is uniquely designed for effective payload deployment and cargo stowage, featuring an advanced modular payload bay system. BlackStar Orbital is committed to delivering innovative space solutions that meet the growing demand for sophisticated and reliable satellite deployment.

Learn more at https://www.spacedrone.io.