GomSpace has contracted US-based Virgin Orbit to carry out the low-inclination launch of its new set of nanosatellites.

As part of the deal, Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket is expected to launch the satellites into space early next year.

Once launched, the satellites will be part of a constellation of small satellites that will use automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) and automatic identification system (AIS) to track civilian aircraft and ocean-going vessels.

“Virgin Orbit and LauncherOne are a key part of building out our ADS-B and AIS monitoring constellation, which is going to fill a need that is both socially and commercially important.”

With the ability to provide continuous monitoring between 37° North and 37° South, the constellation is expected to help identify and locate wayward or missing planes and ships.

GomSpace will design, build and commission the satellites, the development of which will be based on hardware used in the previous GOMX-1 and GOMX-3 missions.

GomSpace’s Mauritius-based customer Aerial and Maritime will operate the constellation following their launch.

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GomSpace CEO Niels Buus said: “Virgin Orbit and LauncherOne are a key part of building out our ADS-B and AIS monitoring constellation, which is going to fill a need that is both socially and commercially important.”

Virgin Orbit is still in the process of qualifying and testing the flight of the LauncherOne service, which comprises a two-stage expendable rocket and a fully reusable air-launch platform.

The company has already installed an assembled pathfinder rocket on its test stand in Mojave, California, and is manufacturing and assembling various others at its site in Long Beach.

LauncherOne is designed to provide highly responsive and affordable flights to low-Earth orbit to small satellites with initial flight planned to take place in the first half of this year.