Open Cosmos wants ITU launch extension
October 9, 2026

By Chris Forrester



UK-based satellite operator Open Cosmos has asked the ITU to allow it to extend the time allowed to launch 50 per cent of its fleet into orbit.

The ITU’s Radio Regulations Board (RRB) is usually tough in requiring satellite operators in keeping to their rules to launch – in this case – half of their 192 and satellites. Some should have been orbited in June and the rest in September, and totalling an initial 98 craft.


Those dates have been clearly missed, but were originally allocated to Rivada Space Networks. Rivada lost its priority filings which were handled by Liechtenstein and subsequently awarded to Open Cosmos.

The ITU’s RRB will review the Open Cosmos request at its upcoming November meeting. It lodged its application earlier this year and the RRB delayed its decision. Open Cosmos is known to have started building spacecraft at its facilities. More than 50 satellites are fully built and in storage awaiting available launch vehicle manifests and integration slots.

Open Cosmos is asking the ITU for a one-year extension. The request says that Open Cosmos can launch 96 satellites by late 2028 and get all 192 craft in orbit by 2030. It has 4 launches booked with Firefly, one of which is slated for later this year.