Terran Orbital / Tyvak leadership sign RAMSES deal with ESA (photo by Terran Orbital)

Tyvak International, a subsidiary of Terran Orbital, has won a new cubesat contract with the European Space Agency (ESA). It will develop Farinella, a 6U CubeSat that will support ESA’s RAMSES planetary defense mission to the near-Earth asteroid Apophis. Terran Orbital announced the contract award, March 13.

The RAMSES mission will study Apophis during its close approach to Earth on April 13, 2029, when the asteroid will pass closer than geostationary orbit. This event offers a rare chance for scientists to observe how Earth’s gravity may affect the structure and behavior of an asteroid, helping improve models used to understand and reduce planetary defense risks. Tyvak International will lead a European consortium of companies and universities supporting the mission, building on its experience developing advanced small satellites for deep-space missions.

The CubeSat is named after Italian scientist Paolo Farinella and is backed by the Italian Space Agency. After successfully completing the Critical Design Review in January 2026, Tyvak International will begin the implementation phase, with launch currently planned for 2028.

“Planetary defense is an area where international collaboration and technological innovation are essential. Through Tyvak International, Terran Orbital is proud to support the European Space Agency’s RAMSES mission and contribute advanced small-satellite capabilities that will help us better understand near-Earth asteroids and strengthen global efforts to protect our planet,” Peter Krauss, CEO, Terran Orbital, said in a statement.