Six space tugs for Transporter-6

SpaceX kicked off the year with a truckload of satellites for numerous operators around the world. We won’t detail all of them here, but it’s worth highlighting the launch carried what appears to be a record number of space tugs on a single launch. This emerging class of vehicles is today used for last-mile deliveries, but could expand to myriad functions including satellite servicing and debris removal. The six space tugs launched were as follows:

- D-Orbit cemented its lead among space tug companies with two ION spacecraft, bringing its total number launched to seven. D-Orbit plans to increase ION’s functionality to eventually include in-orbit services

- Launcher, the small launch startup, took a shortcut to orbit by launching its first OTV well ahead of its first rocket (expected in 2024). Worryingly, the company hasn’t provided any updates about the OTV, called Orbiter, since the launch date

- Skykraft, an Australian startup, launched a space tug carrying four of its own satellites for a future air traffic management constellation of 200 satellites. Weighing 300kg fully loaded, the space tug and satellites are collectively heavier than the combined weight of all past Australian-built satellites, according to the Australian Space Agency. After initial testing success, Skykraft announced plans for further constellation launches across this year and into early 2024

- After the failure of its first vehicle last year, Momentus returned to flight with Vigoride-5. The company’s last update, on Jan. 9, indicated the vehicle is healthy, though it had not yet deployed any satellites

- Epic Aerospace, a San Francisco, California startup, launched first tug, Chimera LEO 1, but has not posted any updates since separating from Falcon 9’s upper stage

SOURCE: https://spaceflightnow.com/2023/01/03/falcon-9-transporter-6-live-coverage/