Virgin Orbit (NASDAQ: VORB) has entered into a binding Launch Service Agreement with Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR) to purchase multiple launches over several years. The first launch is expected to take place in 2023.

Spire joins Virgin Orbit’s growing backlog of customers seeking both flexibility of launch location and orbital destination. As a small launch provider, Virgin Orbit is dedicated to providing flexible, affordable, rapid launch opportunities anytime, anywhere to the commercial, educational, and government small satellite industry.

The launches will also support the growth of Spire Space Services, a platform which offers customers fast and scalable access to space through a subscription model, and continual upgrades and enhancements to the company’s fully deployed satellite constellation.

Virgin Orbit CEO, Dan Hart stated: “We’re very pleased to have formed this strategic relationship with the innovative Spire team. Our previous joint execution of the ADLER-1 launch demonstrated the potential of marrying expert satellite capabilities with rapid, flexible launch. Demand from the small satellite market continues to be strong and we are privileged to be among the few operational companies serving this vitally important sector.”

Virgin Orbit  operates one of the most flexible and responsive space launch systems ever built. Founded by Sir Richard Branson in 2017, the company began commercial service in 2021, and has already delivered commercial, civil, national security, and international satellites into orbit.

Shares of Virgin Orbit trade on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol VORB.