Sierra Space has announced the signing of a joint agreement with Rhodium Scientific, an innovative provider of space microgravity science mission and logistics services.

Specializing in space-based scientific research, Rhodium Scientific will test the viability of science operations on Sierra Space's LIFE habitat for scientific payloads planned to fly to space on a future CRS-2 mission.

Combining the innovation and expertise of Sierra Space's LIFE Habitat and mission operations facilities with Rhodium Scientifics experience in science payload development and management using industry-level quality assurance, provides a unique opportunity to leverage Sierra Space operational capabilities with science operations.

Sierra Space's Dream Chaser spaceplane and LIFE habitat platforms paired with Rhodium Scientific's "science first" modality enables a scalable testing and production model required to advance the low Earth orbit (LEO) commercial economy.

"Sierra Space continues to build momentum in the marketplace with its 'space-as-a-service' business model, and is very pleased to work with Rhodium Scientific, an innovative pioneer in space biotech. Our agreement is a significant step forward in leveraging the flexible and expandable Sierra Space LIFE habitat for in-space scientific research and analysis and we look forward to working with Rhodium Scientific on a host of shared opportunities in the future," said Dr. Janet Kavandi, Executive Vice President of Sierra Space.

This memorandum of understanding ("MOU") in the life sciences and scientific research operations industry is among new commercial agreements for Sierra Space across multiple industries - including space-enabled manufacturing, biopharma and life sciences research and scientific operations, on-orbit satellite servicing assembly and manufacturing, and microgravity research. SNC announced last month the transition of its space business to Sierra Space, a new commercial space company.

"Rhodium Scientific shares a vision with Sierra Space for the new space economy and is very pleased to enter into this new agreement and explore the business and scientific opportunities that lie ahead with our leading-edge research and the LIFE habitat," said Olivia Gamez Holzhaus, CEO and Founder of Rhodium Scientific.

"As an innovator in the commercial space biotech industry, we see great promise for a wide range of research in-space and in partnershipwith Sierra Space."

Rhodium Scientific is a leader in commercializing scientific discovery in space, specializing in Life Sciences, with seven successfully completed missions in 2020. Rhodium Scientific brings a unique heritage of laboratory facility workflow and equipment optimization that will establish science-focused capabilities.

These ground analog efforts will lay the foundation required to demonstrate how Sierra Space and Rhodium Scientific can transition terrestrial research programs into a microgravity research pipeline in the areas of drug discovery, regenerative medicine and biomanufacturing.

Sierra Space recently announced plans for the first free-flying commercial space station in low-Earth orbit that includes multiple LIFE habitats and docking ports for Dream Chaser and other visiting vehicles and modules. The space station is modular, flexible and provides a large environment for living and working and open to industries like pharmaceuticals, space tourism and agriculture.

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