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Vaya Space is on a Mission to Reduce Risk & Cost in Space Exploration

Vaya Space aims to reduce the risk and cost associated with space exploration through innovative small satellite launches. Utilizing recycled materials and focusing on safety and simplicity, Vaya Space is positioned to effectively compete in the growing small satellite market. The company emphasizes sustainability and reliability to attract more users.

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By Grant Harrell · · SatelliteSmall SatelliteSpace AccessibilityVaya Space
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Vaya Space is on a Mission to Reduce Risk & Cost in Space Exploration

Key takeaways

01

Small satellites under 500 kg are developed for various uses, such as navigation and communication.

02

Vaya Space uses 2 million recycled plastic bottles per launch, reducing environmental impact.

03

The small satellite market is projected to reach $10.75 billion by 2028.

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Small satellites are categorized by weight, under 500 kg or 1100lb, developed for navigation, communication, earth observation, and other activities. Fortune Business Insights projects the market to reach 10.75 B in 2028. Vaya Space is poised to take its fair share of the market in small satellite launches in the future. Vaya delivers safer launches at a greater than 25% lower cost, utilizing “2 million recycled plastic bottles per launch,” said Brent Willis, CEO of Vaya Space.

Sid Gutierrez, astronaut and Chairman of the Vaya Space Board of Directors, said that safety is at the core. “We value our people, so safety is our first value.” Without prioritizing safety, the company would be moot. “Safety is the cornerstone of any successful endeavor. Very few projects survive a major accident,” said Gutierrez.

Risk, cost, and reliability hinder space exploration and access. Guiterrez said, “amazingly, these things are all interconnected.” Fewer moving parts translates to fewer opportunities for things to go wrong. Willis said, “the elegant simplicity of Vaya’s approach equates to significantly more reliability and a sustainable cost advantage.” Simple systems are safer and more reliable. In turn, both of these features drive down costs.

Sustainable in cost and production is at the heart of Vaya Space. By incorporating 2 million plastic bottles into the output of each satellite, the company helps rid the earth of otherwise harmful waste. Vaya Space is a genuinely purpose-driven company. More users will migrate to satellites as safety and reliability become enmeshed in regular practice.

Vaya Space focuses on the small satellite market because they know it offers recurring revenue. When satellites return to earth, they can be relaunched and generate new revenue. According to Space.com, companies like Orbex are on the same path. Orbex just unveiled a prototype for a reusable rocket in Scotland. For now, Vaya knows where its focus is, and Willis pressed its importance when he said, “Companies that fail to focus – one thing happens, they fail.”

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About the author

GH
Grant HarrellHead of Transportation/Mobility & Host of "Are We There Yet?" video podcast series

Asking the most exciting, innovative, cutting-edge companies in transportation/mobility the “Are We There Yet?” question is a lot of fun, and the focus of Grant Harrell's top video podcast series! And, it’s not a bad question as so much is truly happening in this space today. What used to be trains, planes, and automobiles is now robots, drones, and spaceships, and Grant is curious about how soon we are all going to see these technologies in action, at scale. Very few of us enjoy a car that drives itself, have dinner delivered via drone, or have taken a vacation to space, but these amazing technologies and applications, as Grant discovers within his "Are We There Yet?" podcast series, are here, or as he likes to say, "we're there"! Grant also serves as the Head of Transportation/Mobility for MarketScale, one of the fastest-growing, most-successful, fun b2b media companies in the industry! MarketScale works behind the scenes for many of the top brands today, building their brand, engaging their communities, and telling their incredible stories! Within Grant's leadership of MarketScale's Transportation/Mobility division, he enjoys working with top companies within automotive to aviation, micro-mobility to marine, drones to space exploration, and everyone in between. And, Grant encourages you to reach out to him directly and set up a meeting, because as he says, "whats the point of all of this transportation/mobility technology development if we aren't headed somewhere fun to meet someone interesting"!

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About the Experts

GH
Grant Harrell

Head of Transportation/Mobility & Host of "Are We There Yet?" video podcast series

Asking the most exciting, innovative, cutting-edge companies in transportation/mobility the “Are We There Yet?” question is a lot of fun, and the focus of Grant Harrell's top video podcast series! And, it’s not a bad question as so much is truly happening in this space today. What used to be trains, planes, and automobiles is now robots, drones, and spaceships, and Grant is curious about how soon we are all going to see these technologies in action, at scale. Very few of us enjoy a car that drives itself, have dinner delivered via drone, or have taken a vacation to space, but these amazing technologies and applications, as Grant discovers within his "Are We There Yet?" podcast series, are here, or as he likes to say, "we're there"! Grant also serves as the Head of Transportation/Mobility for MarketScale, one of the fastest-growing, most-successful, fun b2b media companies in the industry! MarketScale works behind the scenes for many of the top brands today, building their brand, engaging their communities, and telling their incredible stories! Within Grant's leadership of MarketScale's Transportation/Mobility division, he enjoys working with top companies within automotive to aviation, micro-mobility to marine, drones to space exploration, and everyone in between. And, Grant encourages you to reach out to him directly and set up a meeting, because as he says, "whats the point of all of this transportation/mobility technology development if we aren't headed somewhere fun to meet someone interesting"!

BW
Brent Willis

CEO

Vaya Space

SG
Sid Gutierrez

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Vaya Space

Astronaut and Chairman of the Vaya Space Board of Directors. Former astronaut with NASA and leader in aerospace safety and reliability.

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