The agreement will also assess how responsive space capabilities based in Luxembourg could be used by Nato and other European allies. Responsive space refers to using commercial vehicles to rapidly launch payloads--such as satellites--into orbit.
Minister of defence (Déi Gréng) declared, “We aim at contributing to the joint effort in defence by developing high-end space capabilities and ensuring access to space through resilient satellite launch capabilities. Our future cooperation with Virgin Orbit is an excellent example of this ambition and we are looking forward to further investigate how we can contribute to the development of the responsive space capability with Allies and partners.”
We aim at contributing to the joint effort in defence by developing high-end space capabilities and ensuring access to space through resilient satellite launch capabilities.
According to the defence directorate, Luxembourg’s space strategy features four main objectives:
· Consolidating current space capabilities, increasing their resilience, and developing new systems
· Supporting freedom of action in and from space
· Fostering national and international cooperation
· Attracting and securing a skilled and motivated workforce
The collaboration with Virgin Orbit will therefore strengthen Luxembourg’s role in the space domain.
Virgin Orbit will develop and sustain LauncherOne Ground Support Equipment and other launch infrastructure in Luxembourg. The material would be allocated for use by allies and partners. Responsive space capabilities would allow the quick deployment of new space assets such as satellites and strengthen Luxembourgish industry.
“We look forward to working with the Luxembourg Directorate of Defence to explore how Virgin Orbit’s flexible and mobile LauncherOne system can provide end-to-end responsive space missions to strengthen the resiliency of NATO and other Allies,” said Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart.