A Spire Lemur 2 satellite getting placed in deployer. Photo: Spire

KeyW Holding chose Spire Global‘s hosted payload service to validate several of KeyW’s next-generation technologies. Spire’s hosted payload service will also enable KeyW to rapidly deploy larger constellations, as appropriate.

Spire a constellation of nanosatellites and a network of Earth stations to collect shipping, aircraft, and weather data from around the Earth. Spire also hosts the payloads of third parties on its satellites as part of its “Space-as-a-Service” product. Spire Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Platzer commented, “This contract reflects our mission to inspire, lead, and create the business of Earth observation for the benefit of all. The KeyW Innovative Space technology (InSpace) initiative is the first of what will be many opportunities for Spire’s Orbital Services to provide fast and cost-effective access to space that comes from using the most scalable satellite platform available today.”

“KeyW is focused on validating our next-generation technologies in space to open additional high margin, revenue-generation opportunities for our advanced technologies,” said KeyW CEO Bill Weber. “By leveraging Spire’s reliable, proven and cost-effective capability, KeyW intends to demonstrate our speed and innovation in delivering high priority intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solutions to our core customers.”