Space Logistics Companies: Who Moves Cargo To, In and From Space

Space logistics companies move hardware along a chain with six links: launch, integration and brokering, transfer between orbits, delivery to space stations, return to Earth and servicing in orbit, plus deliveries to the Moon. No single company covers the whole chain. Rideshare integrators such as Exolaunch, orbital transfer vehicles such as D-Orbit ION and Impulse Mira, reentry capsules such as Varda's W-Series and servicers such as Astroscale each handle one link, and most missions combine several of them.

This guide sorts the companies by the job they do, so you can see who to ask for which step. It complements our introduction What is space logistics?, which explains the concepts. Providers and vehicles for every link can be compared on the Carrier Space provider directory, and a transport request can be sent via cargo transport.

The space logistics chain at a glance

Launch: rocket operators sell dedicated launches or rideshare slots. Examples: SpaceX, Rocket Lab, Arianespace, Isar Aerospace.
Integration and brokering: integrators book capacity, supply separation systems and handle paperwork. Examples: Exolaunch, D-Orbit, Impulse Space.
Orbital transfer: space tugs move payloads from the drop-off orbit to the target orbit. Examples: D-Orbit ION, Impulse Mira and Helios, Momentus Vigoride, Exotrail spacevan, Rocket Lab Photon.
Station supply: cargo spacecraft deliver to the ISS and bring some cargo back. Examples: SpaceX Cargo Dragon, Northrop Grumman Cygnus XL, JAXA HTV-X.
Return from orbit: free-flying capsules bring materials back without a station. Examples: Varda, ATMOS Space Cargo, The Exploration Company, SpaceX Starfall.
Servicing and debris removal: vehicles inspect, extend the life of or remove satellites. Examples: Astroscale, Northrop Grumman MEV.
Lunar delivery: landers carry payloads to the Moon. Examples: Intuitive Machines, Firefly Aerospace, Voyager Lunar Systems.

1. Launch providers

Every logistics chain starts with a rocket. For most small and medium payloads, the choice is between a dedicated launch and a rideshare slot. Dedicated launches give full control over orbit and date; rideshare is far cheaper per kilogram but follows the schedule of the mission. Our launch provider comparison sorts the rockets by payload class, and launch vehicles by payload capacity lists the published figures for LEO, SSO and GTO.

2. Integrators and launch brokers

Integrators sit between the satellite operator and the rocket. They book capacity, provide the dispenser or separation system, test fit the hardware and manage export and customs. Exolaunch from Germany lists mission management, separation systems, testing, logistics and customs clearance among its services. In 2026, Exolaunch flew its 50th mission on SpaceX's Transporter-18, deploying 46 customer satellites, including a 480 kg-class satellite on the debut of its Quadro Versa separation system.

Some integrators also operate their own vehicles, which blurs the line to the next link: D-Orbit and Impulse Space sell rideshare capacity on their own transfer vehicles. A detailed comparison is in launch brokers and rideshare integrators compared.

3. Orbital transfer vehicles

A rideshare drops satellites in one orbit, but each customer needs its own. Orbital transfer vehicles, often called space tugs, close that gap. NASA's Small Spacecraft Technology State of the Art report describes the market as young, with many planned systems and few with flight heritage. Among the vehicles that have flown:

D-Orbit ION (Italy): first used in 2020 and flown 21 times as of December 2025, according to NASA.
Impulse Space Mira (USA): flying since 2023. NASA lists a maximum payload of 300 kg and 500 m/s delta-v.
Momentus Vigoride (USA), Exotrail spacevan (France) and Rocket Lab Photon (USA): all with flight heritage; Photon carried NASA's ESCAPADE spacecraft in November 2025.

For higher orbits, Impulse Space advertises Helios, which it says transports mass from LEO to GEO in under a day. Its Caravan GEO rideshare missions are to start in 2027. A standard plate includes 300 kg (700 kg maximum), a Tallboy plate 700 kg (1,400 kg maximum). The full vehicle list is in space tug companies compared.

4. Space station supply

Crews, experiments and spare parts reach the ISS on a small number of spacecraft: SpaceX Cargo Dragon, Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL, JAXA's HTV-X, Russia's Progress and, for China's station, Tianzhou. Only some of them can bring cargo back, which makes return capacity scarce. Dream Chaser and The Exploration Company's Nyx are in development. Capacities and flights are compared in space station cargo vehicles compared, and the route for research payloads in how to send an experiment to the ISS.

5. Return from orbit

Free-flying capsules bring materials back without a space station. Varda Space Industries processes materials in orbit and returns them to Earth in its W-Series capsules; it reports that W-8 and W-9 have launched. The Exploration Company builds Nyx for transport from Earth to LEO stations and back, and its Storm engine for launchers. ATMOS Space Cargo in Germany and SpaceX with Starfall are further providers. Flight records and licensing are covered in reentry capsule providers compared.

6. Servicing, refueling and debris removal

Logistics in orbit also means keeping spacecraft alive and clearing them away at the end. Astroscale, headquartered in Japan, offers inspection, servicing and removal based on rendezvous and proximity operations. Its ADRAS-J mission was the first attempt to safely approach and characterise an existing large piece of debris. Astroscale names JAXA, ESA, Eutelsat OneWeb, the UK Space Agency, the U.S. Space Force and CNES as customers. Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle has extended the life of two Intelsat satellites, according to NASA. Refueling is the next step, see in-space refueling and propellant depots.

7. Lunar delivery

For payloads to the Moon, NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program has created a small group of delivery companies. Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace have landed payloads; Voyager Lunar Systems, Blue Origin and Draper with ispace-U.S. have landers in preparation. NASA encourages them to carry commercial payloads next to the NASA instruments. Details are in lunar payload delivery providers compared.

The ground segment

A logistics chain does not end at separation. Operators need antenna time to command their spacecraft and download data. Commercial networks such as AWS Ground Station, KSAT, Leaf Space and SSC rent antenna time to operators. See satellite ground station services.

How to plan a logistics chain

Start from the destination: final orbit, station or landing site decides which links you need.
Count the handovers: every additional provider adds an interface, a contract and a schedule risk. Our own advice: ask one provider to take responsibility for the full chain where possible.
Check flight heritage per link: NASA separates flown transfer vehicles from planned ones, and several return capsules have flown only once.
Plan licences early: launch, frequency, export and reentry each need their own approvals. See export control for satellites.
Keep alternatives: launch dates move, see launch delays.

FAQ

What does a space logistics company do?

It moves hardware or materials to, in or from space: booking and integrating launches, moving satellites between orbits, supplying stations, returning cargo to Earth, servicing satellites or delivering payloads to the Moon.

Which companies offer in-space transportation?

Orbital transfer vehicles with flight heritage include D-Orbit ION, Impulse Space Mira, Momentus Vigoride, Exotrail spacevan and Rocket Lab Photon, according to NASA. Impulse Space plans GEO rideshare missions with Helios from 2027.

Who can bring cargo back from space?

From the ISS, return-capable cargo spacecraft. Without a station, free-flying capsules such as Varda's W-Series, ATMOS PHOENIX or SpaceX Starfall.

Is there a company that handles the whole chain?

Not as a single service. Integrators that also fly their own transfer vehicles, such as D-Orbit and Impulse Space, cover the most links.

Sources

Cover image: A Cygnus cargo spacecraft after being grappled by the Canadarm2 robotic arm of the International Space Station, 14 November 2017. Credit: NASA (iss053e176292)