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INPE Awards SpaceLaunch Launch Services Contract for Amazonia-1B Mission
27 January 2026
The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) has awarded SpaceLaunch the launch services contract for the Amazonia-1B satellite mission. The satellite is scheduled to launch in 2027 aboard Avio’s Vega-C launch vehicle from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
Amazonia-1B is part of Brazil’s national Earth observation AQUAE satellite program, focused on monitoring the country’s water resources. The mission continues Brazil’s commitment to advancing space-based data in support of sustainable development.
Under the contract, SpaceLaunch will provide end-to-end launch services, including mission management, launch vehicle integration, and coordination with Avio and the broader launch campaign team to ensure mission success.
“Along of the year 2025 INPE together MCTI, AEB and FINEP did a lot of work to have the Amazonia 1B launch contract. We got four proposals that were evaluated, first, technically and second, value. We are satisfied to have Amazonia 1B launched by Vega C and having all the support provided by SpaceLaunch”, said Antonio Miguel Vieira Monteiro, INPE´s Director.
“We are honored to be selected by INPE to support the Amazonia-1B mission,” said Marcy Mabry, Co-Founder and CEO of SpaceLaunch. “Members of our team previously supported the Amazonia-1 mission, and we are proud to continue working with INPE to deliver the next satellite in the Amazonia program. Vega-C offers a strong combination of performance and reliability for Amazonia-1B, and we look forward to working closely with INPE and Avio to deliver a successful mission.”
The Amazonia-1B launch will further strengthen international collaboration between Brazil, Europe, and the United States, supporting shared objectives in Earth observation, environmental stewardship, and space sustainability.
"I want to emphasize the effort of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) in securing the necessary budget, along with the unwavering support of the Funding Authority for Studies and Projects (Finep) and the INPE team in carrying this out”, concluded Antonio Miguel Vieira Monteiro, INPE´s Director.
About INPE:Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) operates in the fields of Earth Observation, Meteorology, Climate Change, Space Sciences, and Space Engineering. Renowned worldwide for its satellite-based forest monitoring and advanced weather forecasting, INPE delivers essential data and research to inform public policies on global environmental change. The institute is committed to satellite development and research that transforms Earth-observation data into valuable knowledge and services for society, both in Brazil and internationally.Spacelaunch providing key support to pegasus xl nasa swift reboost mission
11 December 2025
Scheduled for June 2026, the mission will launch Katalyst’s spacecraft designed to rendezvous with NASA’s Swift Observatory and execute a precision orbit-raising maneuver to extend the telescope’s scientific operations for years to come. The air-launched Pegasus XL rocket—the world’s only operational air-launched orbital vehicle—will deploy from a carrier aircraft over the Pacific Ocean. This flight will mark one of Pegasus’s final missions, underscoring the rocket’s three-decade legacy while bridging toward a new era of responsive small-satellite missions and on-orbit servicing technologies.
Marcy Mabry, CEO of SpaceLaunch added: “This mission represents a significant advancement in orbital servicing, and SpaceLaunch is honored to support making this possible. Our deep expertise in launch vehicle integration, system safety, and mission management allows us to support Pegasus XL where reliability matters most. We’re proud to contribute to this historic collaboration uniting heritage launch capability with cutting-edge in-space servicing technology.”
The Swift Reboost Mission stands as a milestone partnership between commercial industry and government science organizations, demonstrating how innovative spacecraft servicing can preserve and extend the life of critical national space assets.
SpaceLaunch announced today that it has been selected to support the upcoming Pegasus XL launch carrying Katalyst Space Technologies’ spacecraft for the NASA Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory reboost mission.
SpaceLaunch will provide Mission Management, Launch Vehicle Integration, and System Safety leadership for the mission. The company’s role includes ensuring technical readiness, regulatory compliance, and coordinated integration across all mission partners.
spacelaunch and avio announce new launch agreement for vega c
17 September 2025
Avio and SpaceLaunch today announced a partnership to launch an export institutional Earth Observation satellite aboard Vega C in 2027. The two companies have signed a Launch Services Agreement on 17 September 2025.
The institutional customer is undisclosed and will be announced later this year. The launch was awarded through a worldwide open competition, with the Vega C solution preferred for its versatility and best value for money. The payload mass is approximately 700 kg and will be placed in a Sun-Synchronous orbit.
Marcy Mabry, CEO of SpaceLaunch, said:
“We are proud to partner with Avio on this important mission. SpaceLaunch is committed to curating reliable and cost-effective access to space for customers worldwide. By selecting Vega C for this satellite, we ensure our customer benefits from a proven launch solution with a customer-centric team.”
Giulio Ranzo, CEO of Avio, said:
“This newly added mission to Vega C launch manifest is the confirmation of Vega C versatility and competitiveness on the world-wide launch market and demonstrate customers’ confidence in our capabilities as Launch Service Provider for international payloads.”
The launch is scheduled for 2027.