Artist’s rendition of ISS with Bartolomeo. Photo: Airbus Defence and Space

[Via Satellite 10-03-2016] Airbus Defence and Space has gained its first hosted payload customer for the Bartolomeo platform, a planned attachment to the European Columbus module of the International Space Station (ISS). Neumann Space, an Australian Space technology company, plans to use an allotted volume of more than 50 liters of payload space on Bartolomeo for the Facility for Australian Space Testing (FAST) program.

“The FAST program provides a unique opportunity for the in-orbit demonstration of technology for small and medium enterprises, schools and universities filling a gap in the current market,” said Patrick Neumann, chief scientist and co-founder of Neumann Space. “With FAST, a collection of payloads starting at just 1 kg mass will be sent together with our Neumann Drive to be operated in space for up to 12 months.”

Named after the younger brother of Christopher Columbus, Airbus Defence and Space plans to operate the Bartolomeo platform after attachment to the ISS starting in 2018. Neumann Space’s payload launch is envisioned for late 2018. The company is already working on following up the first payload with others, including the possibility of returning payload elements back to Earth at the end of the mission.