Exolaunch GmbH (formerly known as ECM) is a German launch services, mission management, and deployment systems provider based in Berlin, Germany with offices in the U.S., France and Japan.[1][2] The company's main focus is the deployment of small satellites, ranging from CubeSats to microsatellites.[3]
Exolaunch was a spin-off from Technische Universität Berlin.[1][2] Since its founding, Exolaunch has supported the deployment of over 575 satellites.[4]
In total, around one third of Spire Global's constellation of Lemur satellites have been supported by Exolaunch since 2016.[2][7] Momentus Space and Exolaunch announced a partnership in July 2017 relating to the provision of water plasma propulsion technologies for use in payload delivery.[8][9][10] In August 2018, Iceye announced an agreement with Exolaunch to launch two or more satellites with synthetic-aperture radar.[11] Exolaunch's second-largest rideshare mission to date took place in July 2019 on the Soyuz-2 launch vehicle. The mission consisted of the deployment of 28 smallsats which included 25 CubeSats ranging from 0.25U to 16U and two commercial microsatellites. This launch also saw the qualification of Exolaunch's microsatellite separation system, CarboNIX. The smallest satellite that the company has managed rideshare integration was only 2.5 cm tall.[12]
As of 2025, Exolaunch has launched 400 satellites from 20 SpaceX vehicles, which includes every SpaceX Bandwagon and SpaceX Transporter rideshare flight since inception.[13] Exolaunch's largest mission to date was the Transporter 14, on the SpaceX Falcon 9, in June 2025, with 27 payloads and over 1,500 kg of mass.[14] In 2025, Exolaunch signed launch contracts with SpaceX, for Exolaunch’s small satellite launch capacity through 2028, to serve satellites on-orbit, including from HawkEye360, ICEYE, Planet Labs, EndudoSat, Loft, and Capella Space.[13]
Exolaunch designs and manufactures in-house small satellite deployment systems, EXOpod for CubeSats and CarboNIX for microsatellites. It also manufactures EXObox, a deployment sequencer to manage the deployment of up to 50 satellites.[15]
The EXOpod is a CubeSat deployer which comes in two size variants, 12U and 16U, and can be configured with up to four independent slots.[15] CubeSats in EXOpod are provided with more space for payloads and can be heavier than what is specified in the CubeSat Design Specification limits. Windows on two sides of the deployer provide access to the CubeSat, enabling inspection, testing and RBF pin removal after integration. EXOpods have been used to launch 80 CubeSats ranging from 0.25U to 16U in size since 2017. The system is made in Germany and is not subject to export restrictions of any kind.[2]
CarboNIX is a separation system for smallsats with a wet mass (including fuel) of between 10 and 200 kg.[16] The lack of traditional pyrotechnic method, reduces the risk of damaging satellites with optical payloads and electronic components. This is combined with a spring pusher system that separates the satellite before the shocks are generated. It is also produced in Germany and ITAR – free meaning that the system is not subject to export restrictions of any kind.[16][17]
EXObox is a deployment sequencer for managing satellite cluster deployment, with a capacity of up to 50 smallsats. It aims to simplify the adaptation and separation of small satellites into their target orbits.[18][17]
EXOtube unites the entire ecosystem of Exolaunch technologies for rideshare missions[19]
The company cooperated under commercial contracts with Glavkosmos in the past, using Soyuz-2 rockets to launch European and U.S. small satellites with the last launch in 2020. The Uzbek-born former CEO, Dmitry Sternharz, took his family’s last name in 2022.
