Aevum Launch, founded in 2016, is a US-based provider of autonomous space launch services for lightweight payloads. They are developing the Ravn X, the world's largest Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), designed to deliver satellites to space. Aevum aims to provide rapid and responsive launch capabilities, with the U.S. Space Force as a key customer, and envisions launching payloads from any one-mile runway. Keywords associated with Aevum include autonomous launch, air launch, small satellites, and responsive space access.
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The Space and Missile Systems Center Launch Enterprise initially awarded the OSP-4 contract in October 2019 to Aevum, Firefly Black, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, Rocket Lab USA, Space Exploration Technologies Corp., United Launch Alliance, VOX Space, and X-Bow Launch Systems.
The OSP-4 contract vehicle was created in October 2019 and initially selected eight companies: Aevum, Firefly, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab, SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, VOX Space, and X-Bow Launch.
Aevum’s UAS fleet is designed to operate nearly 24/7 year-round to increase asset utilization.
Aevum’s business model includes partnering with ecommerce and logistics providers and providing autonomous transportation, software, and technologies as a service.
Within six months of announcing its Space launch services, Aevum won nearly $1,000,000,000 in publicly announced contracts from various customers including the U.S. Department of Defense.
Aevum came out of stealth and announced its Space launch services in 2019.
Aevum estimates that its autonomous transport distribution paradigm reduces labor costs by 90%.
Aevum offers scheduling of precision, express launches ordered via Aevum’s Space Portal in as fast as 180 minutes for launch.
Aevum likely could not survive as just a small satellite launcher, as eight launches for $40 million is not attractive for most investors.
Aevum's business model includes generating revenue beyond space launch, focusing on asset utilization.
Aevum has one non-flight capable Ravn X airframe for ground tests, which was unveiled in December.
Aevum's Ravn X unmanned aircraft will be used to deliver cargo and launch rockets, pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Aevum plans for Ravn X to perform mostly cargo and drone delivery services, launching rockets eight to 10 times a year.
Aevum has won classified contracts from the intelligence community and DoD, including a $4.9 million deal in 2019 for the Agile Small Launch Operational Normalizer (ASLON)-45 satellite.
Aevum received a patent for an 'adaptive autonomous aircraft system with modular payload systems' on May 4, allowing Ravn X to convert between a space launcher and a cargo delivery aircraft.
Aevum is pursuing FAA airworthiness certification and commercial space launch licensing for Ravn X.
In October 2019 the Space Force office selected several small launch providers to compete for task orders over nine years, including Virgin Orbit, Xbow Launch Systems, Firefly Aerospace, and Aevum Launch.
Aevum will seek airworthiness certification for Ravn X from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Aevum received a $4.9 million contract for the ASLON-45 mission after it was reassigned from Vector Launch.
Aevum's business plan intends to generate approximately 85 percent of its revenue from commercial customers and 15 percent from defense and research agencies.