Outlier and Yuri sign MOU to expand access to microgravity research

Auckland, New Zealand - Outlier Space and Yuri USA, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of commercial space biotechnology company Yuri, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop an integrated pathway for life-science research in microgravity. The agreement extends Yuri's flight-proven International Space Station capabilities to Outlier Space's reusable free-flying platform.

The collaboration will combine Yuri's flight-proven life-science hardware, scientific services and mission integration expertise with Outlier Space's reusable payload delivery and return capability, giving biotech, pharmaceutical and academic customers a streamlined route from experiment design through orbital operations, sample return and data analysis.

Expanding Access to Microgravity Research

The MOU combines Yuri's scientific expertise, mission integration capabilities and flight-proven ScienceTaxi hardware with Outlier Space's scalable, reusable uncrewed spacecraft platform. Together, the companies aim to provide researchers with a single pathway from experiment design and payload integration through in-orbit operations, return and data analysis.

Outlier’s vehicles provide pressurised, thermally-controlled payload bays with exceptional microgravity conditions for a wide range of applications. Offering customer-selectable mission durations and broad launch options, the spacecraft provide a smooth transition for users of legacy platforms. Once orbital operations are completed, Outlier’s vehicles return the payloads safely to Earth, before being refurbished to support the next mission. This delivers repeatable, high cadence, and scalable access to microgravity.

Founded in Germany and operating in the United States through Yuri USA, Inc., Yuri is a commercial space biotechnology company and contract research organisation (CRO), supporting customers from experiment design and mission planning through scientific execution and data analysis. Its flight-proven hardware has supported multiple research missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Pictured above (left to right): Daniel Feldkamp-Lynch, President,Yuri USA, Inc., and Alex Linossier, Outlier Space Head of Customer, after signing the Memorandum of Understanding at the SPACETIDE 2026 Conference in Japan.

Supporting the Next Generation of Discovery

Outlier Space Founder and CEO Jamie France said the MOU represented an important milestone for the company and demonstrated the commercial appeal of its technology and team.

He added, “Researchers need a reliable, repeatable pathway to conducting meaningful science in orbit. By combining our end-to-end capabilities with Yuri's world-leading expertise, we're removing the barriers to microgravity research and helping enable the next generation of scientific discovery."

"Our mission is to unlock scalable access to microgravity and support the development of a sustainable orbital economy. This agreement is another important step towards achieving that vision. Yuri is a world-leader in this sector, and we’re excited to partner with them in offering this turn-key service to customers.”

Daniel Feldkamp-Lynch, President of Yuri USA, Inc., said, “Microgravity should be a scientific choice, not a logistics problem. Yuri brings flight-proven hardware and end-to-end scientific and mission expertise, while Outlier adds a complementary return-capable free-flying platform. As commercial low-Earth orbit develops, we want customers to be able to choose the platform that best fits their science. This agreement is an important step towards that flexible, platform-agnostic ecosystem.”

Unlocking microgravity for research and manufacturing

From its Auckland base, Outlier Space is currently developing and qualifying its first spacecraft in preparation for the first mission in mid-2028. In July 2026, the company announced a US$7.35 million pre-seed funding round – one of the largest pre-seed raises in New Zealand's history.