Virgin Orbit and SITAEL signing the agreement in Italy.

Virgin Orbit has signed a memorandum of understanding with Sitael, a privately owned Italian space company, to collaborate on investments including orbital launches and future launch system evolution. Sitael previously selected Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket to launch μHETsat, an electric propulsion technology demonstrator mission built for the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian space agency, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI). The new agreement establishes a longer-term relationship between Virgin Orbit and Sitael.

“The demand for small satellites grows higher every day and the ability to launch on flexible terms and schedule is vital,” said Sitael Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nicola Zaccheo, and “Virgin Orbit is an incredibly promising way to secure exactly the type of launch solution we and our customers need.”