Maverick books 10 Kepler satellites on Portal's Motus Via Sol

Maverick Space Systems has secured launch capacity for 10 Kepler Communications Tranche-2 satellites on Portal Space Systems' Motus Via Sol mission. The mission is expected to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9.

The payload is 10 Kepler Communications Tranche-2 satellites. The satellites are in the 400 kg class.

Portal purchased a full Falcon 9 rocket for Motus Via Sol and is financing the flight. The mission is expected to launch in mid-2028.

Maverick is Portal's exclusive launch integration partner for the mission and will fill the vehicle's remaining volume. The majority of remaining capacity is filled, with a single half-cake-topper slot open.

Kepler is the first named rideshare customer. The satellites include on-orbit computing and hosted-payload capability, and Kepler's optical data relay network is rated at 100 gigabits per second.

SpaceX is reportedly pausing orders for Transporter missions. Exolaunch and SEOPS are buying full Falcon 9 rockets to operate dedicated rideshare missions.

Maverick has completed more than 30 launch campaigns. Its funding was provided without raising equity capital.

The flight is financed by Portal, which purchased a full Falcon 9 rocket, while Maverick handles integration and fills excess capacity. Kepler is the first named rideshare customer. This is relevant because SpaceX is reportedly pausing orders for Transporter missions, and Exolaunch and SEOPS are buying full Falcon 9 rockets for dedicated rideshare missions.

The mission gives Kepler capacity for 10 satellites in the 400 kg class, with on-orbit computing, hosted-payload capability and a 100 gigabits per second optical data relay network. Kepler is also pursuing dedicated capacity of its own and has booked its first dedicated mission.

Motus Via Sol is expected to launch in mid-2028. The Kepler Communications satellites are due to launch in 2028.

Maverick and Portal are actively evaluating future dedicated and shared missions.