1400+ PAYLOADS LAUNCHED TO-DATE

OUTPOST

Commercial Platforms in Orbit

The future of in-space infrastructure has arrived. Leveraging 10+ years of providing commercial in-space services, the Outpost program will transform used launch vehicle upper stages into controllable platforms across multiple orbits.

Imagine a future where Nanoracks-built hardware allows the empty fuel tank of any rocket to come back to life after its primary mission, but this time as a facility for robotic manufacturing, satellite servicing, a greenhouse, and more. Outposts are pillars of infrastructure-as-a-service in space, democratizing access while prioritizing orbital sustainability – what would otherwise become a discarded hunk of metal will live on as a versatile platform.

Book your payload on an Outpost

Email: info@nanoracks.com

How it Works

Outpost Interiors

Each Outpost is brought to life by Nanoracks’ Mission Extension Kit (MEK), a hardware solution that provides power, pointing, data-handling, and communications for the Outpost. The MEK becomes the brains and heartbeat of the now-repurposed upper stage.

Nanoracks is now accepting payloads for our initial Outposts, first scheduled to fly in 2024. These Outposts will serve as persistent infrastructure for doing business in orbit.

outpost space stations

Diverse pointing opportunities

Take advantage of low-cost integration and rapid mission timelines as a secondary payload. Outpost configurations allow for multiple payload hosting locations along the upper stage.

Nanoracks

Access to orbit

Leverage Nanoracks’ CubeSat deployment expertise to deploy your payload rapidly, at low cost, on your schedule.

Nanoracks Outpost

Platform for tech development

Low-risk, seamless operational logistics with Nanoracks’ mission management services allows for rapid, flexible, and unique access to the orbital environment for pathfinder missions or prototype testing.

Why Outpost

Iterative Development

Each new Outpost will add additional capabilities and customization options, with future offerings including robotics, satellite servicing, fuel depots, Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) for human-rated activities, and more.

Launch Vehicle Scalability

Nanoracks is developing MEK configurations for a diverse range of launch vehicles, with the goal of repurposing every upper stage into an Outpost.

Rapid Integration

MEK’s are integrated as an approved secondary payload, turning any launch into an Outpost rideshare. Outpost configurations allow for multiple, pre-approved payload hosting options on the upper stage.

Sustainability & Debris Mitigation

With Outposts, spent upper stages live on as controllable infrastructure, rather than orbital debris. Join Nanoracks in our dedication to space Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) and position your organization as a commercial leader in space sustainability.

Infrastructure-as-a-Service

Outposts, in conjunction with other Nanoracks technology development projects, will serve as the central locations for future, more complex orbital operations.

Outpost Milestones

Outpost’s first in-space technology demonstration mission flew in May 2022. Nanoracks launched a self-contained hosted payload platform to demonstrate on-orbit debris-free robotic metal cutting. This demonstration opened the door to further Outpost development, including physical modification of upper stages.

SpaceX-Rideshare-Services