Hosted payload missions enable companies, teams, and researchers to get access to space without the costs and effort of running an entire mission.
Providers offer access to a tested satellite bus (or other spacecraft) with proven subsystems, processes, launch solutions (via third parties, in most cases), and mission development process to streamline the approach.
The payload creator just needs to provide the technology that will be tested in orbit, according to the mission timeline, and perform the necessary steps to ensure connection to the operator’s data system.
This may involve access to the operator’s API or a user portal, and is required to ensure the payload data is downlinked as needed.
On this page we share information on the value of hosted and rideshare missions, and some advice on how to select a provider.
We also share information on a huge variety of specific mission services and providers, so you can select an option for your needs. If you’d like to skip straight to the list of capabilities on the market, please click here.
When to consider a hosted payload mission
There are two main reasons to consider using a hosted payload service: technology heritage and team experience. Let’s take a look at each of these in turn:
Technology heritage
Creating a profitable company or service in the space industry today requires high-quality technology, with a real point of difference.
The growth of NewSpace companies and proliferation of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products in the supply chain means that there are often proven standard options available for many applications.
To stand out, businesses need to develop new systems have advantages in terms of performance, efficiency, cost, production speed, SWAP (size, weight and power) budget, or similar characteristics.
And to bring such systems to market effectively, they need to be rigorously tested in orbit.
A hosted payload mission enables teams to perform such tests at a fraction of the cost and time it takes to develop an entire mission, end to end. They can rely on embedded, readymade equipment and processes that have been used many times, usually with standardized hardware and software.
For many organizations, this approach will also likely be a much safer and more reliable prospect than a bespoke mission. Although not without risk, a hosted mission from a trusted supplier will allow the payload developer to leverage an experienced team and approach.
Team experience
The experience of designing, building, launching, and operating a payload in orbit is highly valuable for the engineers involved.
Even when launching a payload that was purchased from, or built bespoke by, a third party, there are crucial skills to be learned in:
- Satellite design and engineering,
- Payload interoperability and integration,
- System qualification and launch preparation,
- Mission paperwork, insurance requirements, and other administrative aspects, and
- Mission operations – including data collection and analysis.
In the next two sections you can see a range of specific examples of hosted payload missions and service providers who can offer rideshare options for payloads.
Missions launching in 2025
In this section you can see details of specific hosted payload and rideshare missions that are scheduled to take place in 2025.
Click on any of the boxes below to find out more information about each of them, and use the free request system to make an enquiry of the provider.
Alternatively, if you send us your basic requirements, we’ll source suitable options for you from the global supply chain.
Just click here and fill in the one-minute form to kick things off.
SpaceLocker is offering an opportunity to fly technology on the Out of The Box hosted payload mission in Q4 2025
The mission is operated by SpaceLocker, onboard a CubeSat, and will take place in sun synchronous orbit (SSO) at 500km.
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request infoHosted payload services
In this section you can see information about hosted payload services that are available on an on-demand basis.
Click on any of the boxes below to find out more information about each of them, and use the free request system to make an enquiry of the provider.
EnduroSat's Space Service - hosted payload service is designed to simplify access to space, with rapid and fixed-cost payload integration and streamlined mission development.
Suitable for a wide range of in-space technology demonstrations; the service is designed with simplicity in mind - with simple mission configuration and standardized operational components that have been tried and tested on several missions to date.
The service can launch a hosted payload mission in as little as 6 months from the initial idea, and features fixed costs wherever possible to ensure there are no hidden fees or delays.
Space BD’s In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) service on the International Space Station (ISS) “Kibo” module enables companies to test new technologies. The service utilizes the ISS Kibo’s IVA-replaceable Small Exposed Experiment Platform (i-SEEP) - often described as the easiest way to utilize the space environment for a wide variety of projects.
ABOVE Space's hosted payload service utilizes the company's Prometheus platform, that can be used for a wide range of applications.
The platform is space-proven and suitable for in-space validation of both passive materials and active hardware (requiring power, computing resources, and communications).
ABOVE Space works with teams to find the most suitable option for their needs - which may involve selecting the most appropriate platform, launch, and mission plan for their application, and possibly grouping with compatible payloads to save time and costs.
In addition, ABOVE Space works with Aegis Aerospace to offer in-space validation on board the International Space Station (ISS) through the Aegis Aerospace Multi-purpose International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) service.
Aegis Aerospace's Space Testing as a Service (STaaS™) offers teams the ability to test space technologies in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), onboard the International Space Station (ISS), and on the lunar surface.
Aegis Aerospace has a long heritage of space mission delivery, across all major disciplines, and works with clients on mission planning, technology qualification and integration, launch preparation, and payload operations.
Hosted payload and in-space testing solutions are available, on a continual basis, for commercial, research, defense, and governmental technologies.
The Airbus Bartolomeo hosted payload service enables teams to deliver, operate, and test payloads or other technologies on the International Space Station (ISS).
The Bartolomeo platform is affixed to the European Columbus Module on the ISS, and can host third-party payloads as small as 3U.
Payloads in a wide variety of application areas can be supported, including astrophysics, robotics, and Earth Observation.
The Artemis Space hosted payload service is designed to offer teams and organizations the ability to gain flight heritage for new space hardware.
A variety of different applications may be accommodated, such as satellite communications, Earth Observation, and more.
Astranis offers hosted payload opportunities in GEO using microsatellite systems. A full suite of services are available to run dedicated missions for commercial customers.
These include integration and qualification, and access to a global ground station network capable of supporting long mission lifetimes achievable in GEO.
Axelspace AxelLiner Laboratory (AL Lab) solution is designed to make it easier for teams to test new technologies using 100kg-class satellites.
Axelspace provides support for mission development, with a range of flexible options, and can offer certification for analysed equipment.
B2Space offers testing in the near-space enviroment to qualify and validate technology in a cost-effective manner. Testing is performed using platforms held aloft by stratospheric balloons, at cruising altitudes of 18-40 km.
Launches are available worldwide, giving simple access to an environment with large thermal ranges, near vacuum conditions, and high radiation levels.
Payloads of up to 3,500 kg can be utilized (in standalone or rideshare missions) and access to real-time telemetry and imagery data is available.
C3S Electronics Development's shared payload service enables opportunities to fly new technology in space.
Missions across a range of different application areas can be included, such as remote sensing, edge computing, Earth Observation, and more.
InOrbit NOW is a family of end-to-end solutions for CubeSats and microsatellites. It includes launch and deployment services, IOD/IOV missions, and a set of add-on services.
The ON IOD/IOV mission option is a plug-and-play platform for in-orbit demonstration and validation based on the ION Satellite Carrier.
The platform provides well defined mechanical, electrical, and data interfaces, access to host resources, attitude control, flexible pricing, and multiple launch options in LEO, SSO, and GEO.
DPhi Space offers hosted payload opportunities using the company's proprietary Clustergate™ payload container. Power, computing and communication resources are included.
Clustergate™ is launched on a host satellite, offering simple and cost-effective access to space to test new hardware without creating a dedicated satellite.
The Exotrail spacehost™ hosted payload service is designed to help new companies, organizations, and mission teams gain vital in-orbit flight heritage.
Missions from LEO to GEO are supported, with Exotrail handling all aspects of transportation, integration, launch, and required orbital maneuvers for a successful project.
Multiple launch opportunities are available along with qualification expertise and support for a wide variety of technology applications such as space situational awareness (SSA), in-orbit manufacturing, orbital inspections, and access to GEO and beyond.
General Atomics hosted payload opportunities offer the capability to test and qualify new systems and technologies in orbit.
Various mission formats and technologies can be utilized - and General Atomics offers support for all aspects of mission design and development.
German Orbital Systems turnkey rideshare solutions are designed to provide cost-effective opportunities to test out new hardware in space.
A variety of applications can be accommodated, such as Earth Observation, remote sensing, satcoms, and more.
The Gran Systems hosted experiments in space service enables companies and academic teams to test new systems in orbit.
Options are available for nanolabs, conducting zero gravity flights, performing microgravity research, and lunar missions.
HEMERIA's hosted payload solutions enable teams to test and prove technologies in orbit.
HEMERIA offers mission management and support to ensure that customer payloads have the opportunity to undergo accurate assessment in space.
Innova Space's payload testing solutions give opportunities for teams to gain flight heritage for new technologies in space.
In addition, Innova Space offers ground-based microgravity and hypogravity simulations, and parabolic flight experiments.
In-Space Missions' Space as a Service solution offers rideshare missions for organizations, companies, and teams looking to test technology in space.
This commercial service is designed to provide long-life payload flight opportunities in LEO at low costs.
Intelsat offers hosted payload opportunities on various commercial satellites for applications including satcoms, Earth Observation, space situational awareness (SSA), and more. Intelsat aims to offer a rapid timeline, from concept to launch, in every rideshare mission.
Intelsat leverages its deep expertise in space mission development, established facilities, resources, and processes, and regular satellite launch opportunities, to offer a hosted payload solution that can cut mission costs and speed up timelines.
Shared operations are available, with varing levels of payload command and control, via Intelsat TT&C ground facilities or from a government facility using an encrypted link, are available.
L3Harris' hosted payload solutions enable governments, companies, research institutes, and other teams to test new technologies in space in a rapid and cost-effective manner.
Based on many years' experience, across a wide variety of missions, L3Harris offers end-to-end managed payload flight opportunities on host platforms that avoid the need to develop a dedicated mission to gain flight heritage on a new system.
A variety of mission plans and technologies can be utilized and L3Harris utilizes reliable and proven platforms, processes, and partners for an efficient service.
Loft Orbital's rideshare missions offer stakeholders the ability to test new systems in orbit.
Support for all aspects of the mission can be utilized, including design and development, integration, qualification, launch, deployment and operations.
The Momentus hosted service is designed to give organizations the opportunity to fly new hardware in space.
A variety of applications can be accommodated, such as Earth Observation, remote sensing, satcoms, and more.
The NearSpace Launch Train Rapid On Payload (TROOP) hosted payload program offers commercial payload volume on missions launching every 3 to 6 months.
TROOP is designed to enable fast and repeatable payload flight and testing options for government, commercial, and research institutions.
Orbital Astronautics' hosted payload service provides opportunities for teams to test and prove technologies in orbit.
Orb Astro handles all aspects of the mission design, management, and operations to ensure customers have a streamlined process to gain flight heritage.
The Orbital Transports Get Spaceborne™ - rideshare and hosted payload service gives teams the opportunity to fly new payloads on shared CubeSat buses, to test performance in orbit.
This turn-key service offers payload slots on satellites in standard CubeSat form factors, from 1U to 16U. A standard payload management API is utilized, enabling straightforward access to operational data.
Several launch opportunities, to Sun-synchronous (SSO) LEO orbits, are available.
The Sidus Space technology hosting service enables teams to gain critical flight heritage for new technologies.
Various mission formats and technologies can be utilized - and Sidus Space offers support for all aspects of mission design and development.
SpaceLocker's hosted payload services enable teams and organizations to find new opportunities to fly hardware - for IOD/IOV purposes, qualification, testing, and gaining crucial flight heritage for space technologies.
Spire offers a hosted payload enabling customers to fly payloads from 1/3U to 4U. Spire integrates, launches and provides access to the customer's payload via a simple-to-use API.
Regular launches are available, utilizing Spire’s proven LEMUR satellite bus and including access to a global network of ground stations.
Voyager Space's Commercial Payload Services enable teams across a wide range of application areas to access space in order to test new technologies.
A broad range of platforms and facilities are available to suit applications in research, commercial development, and government projects.
Xplore's Satellite as a Service® is an end-to-end, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) payload hosting solution utilizing the company's XCRAFT™ platform.
Payloads from 1U to 75U (or more) can be accommodated, with Xplore offering a full suite of support in each project, from mission design to operations.
The turn-key service aims to significantly reduce the cost and complexity of a typical CubeSat mission, and is suitable for a wide range of application areas.
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Resources and further reading
At the links below you can find a range of satsearch articles that will be useful for learning more about this topic, or that feature other categories of technologies which you may need to consider in your mission.
- Reaction wheels on the global market
- Parts of satellites
- Control moment gyroscopes
- CubeSat thrusters and in-space propulsion
- Software-defined radios (SDRs) for space
- Laser communication systems for space
- On-board computers (OBCs) for space
- Optical payloads for space
- A brief introduction to the space supply chain