Transport for Space Industry
Components for satellites, launch systems and ground infrastructure are one-off items with lead times measured in years — Logisticoo transports them accordingly: with minimal vibration, climatically protected, seamlessly monitored and with planning that leaves nothing to chance. Space hardware allows no second chance; a damaged structural part or a contaminated instrument sets programmes back by months. That is why such shipments travel with us exclusively as a direct run on air-sprung vehicles, remain in their transport containers with a defined orientation and are moved only under the supervision of the agreed personnel. Shock indicators and data loggers of the sender we integrate into the hand-over processes, and every station is documented. Route planning takes into account road-surface quality, height restrictions and rest stops with secured parking. We take export control seriously: for listed goods we coordinate the permit situation and documentation with you before departure and only transport once the papers are complete. Pre- and on-carriage to air and sea freight, for example towards the launch site, we also organise. Discretion, care, a dedicated point of contact — and a fixed price within 30 minutes.
Vehicles & equipment
Space components travel in air-sprung box vehicles with lashing rails and soft, frame-appropriate lashing; driving speed and route are designed for minimal shock and vibration loads.
Typical requirements
- Low-vibration direct runs with route selection based on road-surface quality
- Transport in defined orientations with shock indicators and data loggers
- Movement of the goods only under the supervision of named personnel, secured parking
- Coordination of export control and documentation before departure
- Climatic protection of sensitive instruments and structures
- Pre- and on-carriage to air and sea freight towards integration and launch sites
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Typical shipments from the space industry
Space logistics moves one-off items. Typical are structural components and primary structures in CFRP and metal (panels, cylinders, adapters), satellite components and complete satellites in transport containers, propulsion and tank structures, as well as launch-vehicle sections. Add to this highly sensitive instruments and payloads — optics, sensors, electronics — which travel in climate-controlled, vibration-damped containers. Ground infrastructure such as test stands, integration equipment (MGSE) and ground equipment (EGSE) as well as cleanroom equipment likewise belong here. Some of the shipments carry dangerous goods, such as propellant components or compressed gases, which are handled separately. Common to all shipments is the extreme value, the long lead time and the fact that there is no second chance — which is why we run exclusively as a monitored direct run with a defined orientation and seamless documentation.
Standards and regulations in space transport
Central are the sender's handling and environmental requirements: defined container orientation, limit values for shock and vibration, temperature and humidity corridors, in part cleanroom and contamination requirements. We integrate the sender's shock indicators and data loggers into the hand-over processes and document every station; the limit values and the measurement regime are defined by the customer. Cargo securing is carried out to VDI 2700 exclusively via the intended container or frame points, with soft, frame-appropriate lashing without point loads. We take export control seriously: space goods are frequently listed (EU dual-use, in part ITAR-affected); we coordinate the permit situation and documentation before departure and only transport with complete papers — classification under goods law is the exporter's responsibility. The route we choose based on road-surface quality and the height and load-bearing profile.
How a space transport works at Logisticoo
- Enquiry with the component, container, environmental and handling requirements, export-control status and time window.
- Fixed-price quote within 30 minutes and coordination of the securing and monitoring concept.
- Preparation: route planning based on road-surface quality and height profile, definition of secured rest stops, inspection of the export documents.
- Collection in a defined orientation, integration of shock indicators/data loggers, lashing over container points.
- Low-vibration direct run on an air-sprung vehicle at an adjusted speed; the goods are moved only under the supervision of the named personnel.
- Documented hand-over with joint reading of the indicators. Pre- and on-carriage to air and sea freight towards the integration or launch site we also organise; a dedicated dispatcher accompanies the entire process.
What does a space transport cost?
Space transports are project runs and are calculated individually — monitored direct run, air-sprung special vehicle, adjusted route and escort all go into the fixed price. As a point of reference, our vehicle rule-of-thumb rates per kilometre (±15 %) serve: air-sprung articulated truck around €1.95/km (from €379), smaller shipments in the air-sprung box vehicle around €1.10–1.65/km. A monitored direct run of a satellite structure from Bremen to Toulouse (around 1,350 km) with the air-sprung articulated truck thus moves in the four-figure range; added to this are surcharges for a two-driver crew, escort, secured parking spaces, climate control and any air/sea-freight on-carriage. The binding fixed price we quote within 30 minutes after a brief coordination of the handling requirements.
Typical space shipments and the right handling
| Shipment type | Example | Vehicle/equipment | Typical transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite/payload | Satellite in climate container | Air-sprung, monitored direct run | scheduled, with lead time |
| Primary structure | CFRP panel, adapter, cylinder | Air-sprung articulated truck, frame points | 1–2 days, scheduled |
| Instrument/optics | Sensor, optics, electronics | Air-sprung, data logger/shock indicator | shortest possible |
| Ground equipment | MGSE/EGSE, test stand | Curtainsider/low-loader, crane | plannable |
| Dangerous-goods portion | Propellant component, compressed gas | ADR vehicle, trained driver | plannable, ADR papers |
Frequently asked questions
How do you ensure that vibration limit values are complied with?
Through the combination of an air-sprung vehicle, an adjusted driving style, route selection with good road-surface quality and lashing exclusively via the intended container or frame points. Your shock indicators and data loggers we read together at hand-over and document the condition — limit values and measurement regime are defined by the sender.
Our component is subject to export control — what does that mean for the transport?
Before departure we clarify the permit situation with you and ensure that all required documents are fully in place; only then do we drive. Within the EU many transfers are eased, while for third-country involvement the export regulations apply strictly. Responsibility for the classification lies with the exporter — we ensure clean implementation on the transport route.
What does a space transport cost?
These runs we calculate on a project basis, because monitored direct run, air-sprung vehicle, route and escort come together individually. As a point of reference: air-sprung articulated truck around €1.95/km (from €379), ±15 %. A monitored direct run Bremen–Toulouse (around 1,350 km) accordingly lies in the four-figure range. After a brief coordination of the handling requirements we quote the binding fixed price within 30 minutes.
How do you comply with shock and vibration limit values?
Through air-sprung vehicles, an adjusted driving style, a route selected based on road-surface quality and lashing exclusively via the intended container or frame points. Your shock indicators and data loggers we integrate into the hand-over and read them together; limit values and measurement regime are specified by the sender.
Our component is subject to export control — is that still possible?
Yes, with clean preparation. Before departure we clarify the permit situation and documentation; we only drive with complete papers. Within the EU many transfers are eased, while for third-country involvement (EU dual-use, in part ITAR-affected) the export regulations apply strictly. Classification under goods law is the exporter's responsibility, while we implement the transport route in compliance.