New Insurance Underwriting Agency for Space Risks

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Assure Space, LLC, a new space insurance agency for satellite risks, is excited to partner with Auster Capital Partners ("ACP") and Space Florida for the provision of launch and in-orbit insurance to satellite operators worldwide. Assure Space has agreements with participating insurers that grant it authority to act as their intermediary and perform a range of responsibilities on their behalf. These include identifying and evaluating world-wide space insurance opportunities and underwriting insurance commitments.

The team that Assure Space has assembled provides it with a broad range of insurance and space expertise that will position it to take a leading role in the insurance of space assets throughout the world. Richard Parker, former space underwriter and technical director at AXA Space, leads Assure Space. Assure Space benefits from the extensive underwriting heritage of Richard, who has over 25 years of experience in the space industry having also held senior positions with the European satellite manufacturer EADS Astrium and satellite operator Intelsat.

ACP is a New York area based private equity firm with special expertise in the telecom and technology sector. "The Assure Space team, with Richard at the helm, is a true vanguard in the space insurance industry. We believe it is poised to build on the developing U.S. commercial space market.  As a private investment firm, we consistently look to invest in the best and brightest leadership; with Assure Space, we have found such a team," said ACP's Managing Partner Chuck Auster.

Space Florida is the spaceport authority and aerospace economic development agency of the State of Florida, created to strengthen Florida's position as the global leader in space commerce.  Space Florida uniquely serves as the single point of contact for all space-related functions of the State of Florida, and serves the civil, military and commercial sectors. "History has shown that growth of commercial space industry goes hand in hand with growth of the space insurance industry," said Space Florida President Frank DiBello. "We believe that offering cost effective insurance will help bring a share of commercial launch business back to the U.S. Risk management is an essential part of any space enterprise, and by supporting Assure Space we are improving the business climate for space in Florida."

ASSURE SPACE

Assure Space is an underwriting agency which provides innovative and cost effective space insurance products.  It can provide insurance coverage for the launch of all types of satellites and their continuing in-orbit operation.  Assure Space is also developing new insurance products to facilitate such evolving activities as the assembly and maintenance of orbital facilities, transportation of cargo and crew to and from such facilities, spaceport operations, space tourism, and other space-related activities. www.assure-space.com

AUSTER CAPITAL PARTNERS

Auster Capital Partners ("ACP") is a private equity firm, with an expertise in the telecommunications, managed services, cloud computing and information technology sectors.  ACP seeks to invest in private companies with a strong value proposition and a proven management team.  Its advisory business provides transactional expertise offering due diligence, deal structuring and a variety of services which includes outsourced deal management, financial restructuring and capital raising.  Auster Capital Partners was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey with offices in London, England and an affiliate office in Santiago, Chile.  www.austercapitalpartners.com

SPACE FLORIDA

Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida's position as a global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce.  As Florida's spaceport authority and aerospace development organization, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed. www.spaceflorida.gov

SOURCE Assure Space, LLC