In 2019 a commercial platform for scientific missions in space will be added to the International Space Station. The Bartolomeo platform, operated by Airbus Defense and Space, will have 11 slots for science projects for customers including start-ups and commercial businesses. A year’s rent on the platform gives companies a view of both the space station and the Earth and data downlink of 10 Gb/s. Modules of 5 kg to 450 kg will fit on the platform.
The European Space Agency made the project possible through a commercial partnership with Airbus. It will be attached to the Columbus Laboratory, ESA’s 23-foot long science lab on the space station.
Filed Under: Aerospace + defense