DT Christmas Newsletter 2025

SPACE

Space Logistics Network ships satellites to Space X

M any readers will know that almost 20 years ago Davies Turner Air Cargo was a key founding partner of the Aviation Logistics Network. From a tiny start with just three agents in the network, today the organisation has over 80 partners working in over 430 global locations serving the needs of the world’s airlines and maintenance organisations that keep the commercial aircraft fleet in the air. So what do we do as an exciting follow up? How about “space the final frontier” to borrow a well-known catch phrase from Star Trek. Enter the Space Logistics Network. So just how do you transport a satellite worth millions of dollars, with over one hundred million dollars of research and development put into it. The answer ... very carefully! The advent of the commercialisation of space has led to a massive increase in commercial companies providing all kinds of services to do with space. Starting with satellites, there are scheduled to be over 40,000 launched over the next decade into low earth orbit. These systems are much smaller than the historic large geostationary systems (which typically needed a huge freighter aircraft to transport them). Now your average low earth orbit satellite weighs anything from 50 to 350 kilos, is very compact, and therefore lends itself to commercial air freight. At Davies Turner Air Cargo, we are at the forefront of moving this exciting new type of technology. The first two satellites we handled were transported to Vandenburg Airforce base where they were mated to the Falcon 9 launch system operated by Space X, which then blasted into space with our payload, and that of others, on board. Logistics jigsaw The movement of these satellite systems is but one part of the logistics jigsaw. There is a whole supply chain that is dedicated to providing parts, specialist sensors and components that go into the manufacture of these satellites. Our goal moving forward is to target the following sectors: Parts supply chain for satellite production; launch service providers who will provide rocket launch services for the 40,000 systems to be launched over the next decade; and, satellite manufacturers who will need to transport their systems from test to launch site (either by air or road). You will not be surprised to learn, there are very strict rules concerning the commercial contracts involved in dealing with the developers of this next generation of cutting edge technology. Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) are commonly issued which limit the information that can be disclosed when entering into the transportation, or the RFQ stage.

However, in addition to arranging the dispatch of two satellites to the Falcon 9 launch site, we have NDAs for services in 2026 with two major satellite manufacturers (one of whom manufactures in space). We also have NDAs with two launch sites in the UK; one already operational, and one under development, to coordinate the movement of Low Earth Orbit systems to the relevant launch locations. A further NDA is in place to move a dedicated

The Space Logistics Network stand at the Space-Comm Exhibition held at the London Excel Centre in March. The exhibition had over 5,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors. Space Logistics Network is the only logistics network to have exhibited.

launch system for installation in the UK, and we are working with a major supplier of the European Space Agency to look at supply chain issues for satellite manufacturing in the UK.

The Falcon 9 rocket (pictured below left) launch profile illustration (above) shows what happens on take off, deployment of the satellites, and the incredible re-entry of the rocket which lands on a floating platform at sea.

Satellite in bespoke crate which is anti -static, proofed against humidity, and sealed to prevent foreign object damage. 6

Satellites are assembled in a clean room environment to prevent contamination.

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