The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in cooperation with GK Launch Service,s are pleased to announce an exclusive competition for a Free Launch of 1U cubesat on the First Commercial Mission of GK Launch Services.
Photo of a Soyuz-2 launch vehicle.
All IAF member organizations are invited to participate in the competition and profit from this opportunity to win a launch operated by GK Launch Services, planned for the second quarter of 2020. Please note that this competition’s priority is to reach out to Space University teams from emerging countries.
The launcher will be Soyuz-2.1a/Fregat. The new generation of Soyuz launchers features high reliability and multi-functionality and will be launched from Baikonur.
GK Launch Services CEO, Alexander Serkin, said the company is are happy to provide a launch opportunity to a 1U cubesat on the firm’s first commercial mission. It is important to GK to support scientific projects, especially those made by students.
The mechanical loads information that secondary payloads (small SC) experience during Soyuz-2/Fregat ground operations and launch may be read at this direct link..
Applications must be submitted to award@iafastro.org by August 8, 2019, and must include:
- Description of bidding organisation and background experience with respect to CubeSats (if available)
- Description of proposed CubeSat mission
- Description of available facilities (e.g. integration and test facilities, ground station)
- Funding and readiness status
A joint IAF – GK Launch Services Selection Board will review the applications and select the winner, who will be announced at the IAC 2019 in Washington D.C. taking place from 21 – 25 October 21 to 25, 2019.
Founded in April 2017, GK Launch Services — a joint venture of GLAVKOSMOS JSC, and subsidiary of ROSCOSMOS State Space and International Space Company KOSMOTRAS, LLC. — is the operator of Soyuz-2 commercial launches from the Russian space ports.