Space exploration company Astrobotic secures a launch deal with Andøya Space

Astrobotic's Xodiac Vehicle to Launch from Norwegian Spaceport in 2026

Astrobotic, a Pittsburgh-based startup, has signed an agreement with Andøya Space to launch its Xodiac Vertical Takeoff and Vertical Landing (VTVL) vehicle from the northern Norwegian spaceport starting in 2026. This move marks a significant step forward for Astrobotic and the European space industry.

The Xodiac vehicle, originally developed by Masten Space Systems in 2015, has a proven track record with over 175 suborbital flights under its belt. These flights have tested various in-flight and precision landing technologies for commercial, academic, and government customers. In contrast, Themis, another vehicle developed for testing flight systems and advanced technologies, has not been used extensively for such purposes.

The Xodiac vehicle is designed to simulate lunar and planetary landings, making it an ideal choice for Astrobotic's missions. However, Themis is currently undergoing hot fire tests at the Esrange Space Center in Northern Sweden, with its first hop test scheduled as early as the end of this year.

It's worth noting that Astrobotic acquired Masten Space Systems in 2022 after the company filed for bankruptcy protection. The presence of Xodiac at Andøya's launch site brings testing capabilities to Europe, which is aiming to increase its presence in international and sovereign deep-space missions.

In a surprising turn of events, the Xodiac vehicle experienced a crash during its 176th flight in May, due to a yet-to-be-explained anomaly in the Mojave desert. Despite this setback, Astrobotic remains committed to its missions and the use of the Xodiac vehicle.

Meanwhile, Themis, a suborbital test vehicle developed by ArianeGroup, is also coming online. The manufacturer of Themis, which is being tested in Norway and Sweden and is possibly landing in Europe in 2026, is ArianeGroup. The Themis reusable first stage demonstrator has already arrived at the Esrange Space Center.

More flights for Themis are planned for 2026, but it's yet to be launched from Andøya's northern Norwegian spaceport. The exact timeline for Themis's launch remains to be seen, but it's clear that both Themis and Xodiac will play crucial roles in the future of space exploration.

In conclusion, Astrobotic's decision to launch the Xodiac vehicle from Andøya Space's northern Norwegian spaceport in 2026 marks a significant step forward for the company and the European space industry. With its proven track record and advanced capabilities, the Xodiac vehicle is poised to make a significant contribution to deep-space missions. The arrival of Themis at the Esrange Space Center also signals the beginning of an exciting new chapter in space exploration.