mu Space partners with Blue Origin to launch geostationary satelliteSeptember 26, 2017BANGKOK (mu Space PR) — mu Space Corp today announced at the 68th Annual International Astronautical Congress that they have entered into an agreement with Blue Origin to partner on a future launch of a geostationary satellite aboard their New Glenn orbital rocket. The launch is set to happen early in the next decade.Commenting on the new partnership, mu Space CEO James Yenbamroong says, “We’ve decided to go with Blue Origin because we’re impressed with the company’s vision and engineering approach.”In September last year, Blue Origin announced publicly the plan to build New Glenn, its orbital launch vehicle that will carry people and payloads to low-Earth orbit destinations and beyond. Named after the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth, John Glenn, the launch vehicle is designed to be reusable which enables lower cost access to space for Blue Origin’s customers.“We look forward to launching mu Space on New Glenn to serve the people of Thailand and to be a part of expanding mu Space’s imprint on the Asia Pacific region,” says Robert Meyerson, Blue Origin’s President.The company is working to support the growing demand in Asia-Pacific for broadband, mobile, broadcasting and smart city services using space based solutions.According to mu Space’s long term plan, the company will launch its own geostationary orbit satellite in 2021. It also plans to become the first company to offer space tourism in Asia.“mu Space also shares Blue Origin’s vision of developing space technologies that will accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies,” James added. “We want to deliver equitable access to communication services for all and improve quality of life on Earth.”The agreement marks the first-time Blue Origin has partnered with an Asian launch customer.
1 month old company to do satellites AND space tourism... OK then.... Blue is reaching for news with that one.
Quote from: Lar on 09/26/2017 06:56 am1 month old company to do satellites AND space tourism... OK then.... Blue is reaching for news with that one.Why is Blue partnering with such a young company? That seems like a desperate move. All the best for mu space corp of course and I hope they are successful in their mission. But this company can hardly be regarded as a boastworthy customer for Blue. What is going on here?
“We have entered into an agreement with mu Space on a future launch of a geostationary satellite aboard New Glenn early in the next decade,” Meyerson said. “We look forward to launching mu Space to serve the people of Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region.”
“We’ve decided to go with Blue Origin because we’re impressed with the company’s vision and engineering approach,” said James Yenbamroong, chief executive of mu Space, in a statement. “We want to deliver equitable access to communication services for all and improve quality of life on Earth.”
“The response to New Glenn has been phenomenal,” said Meyerson. He reiterated plans announced earlier this month that, based on customer feedback, the company would move directly to a payload fairing 7 meters in diameter, skipping an interim 5.4-meter fairing.
Don't count your manifest before you make it to orbit the first time.
Quote from: Space Ghost 1962 on 09/27/2017 04:24 amDon't count your manifest before you make it to orbit the first time.True, but there has definitely been a change in attitude.
A lot of folks assumed SpaceX would fail, as space was too technically unforgiving for a startup.
Now most are thinking BO will succeed. And they are not even counting out RocketLab, a much smaller private startup. Now we are arguing about economics, not possibility - that's a big improvement.
Quote from: Space Ghost 1962 on 09/27/2017 04:24 amDon't count your manifest before you make it to orbit the first time.True, but there has definitely been a change in attitude. A lot of folks assumed SpaceX would fail, as space was too technically unforgiving for a startup. Now most are thinking BO will succeed. And they are not even counting out RocketLab, a much smaller private startup. Now we are arguing about economics, not possibility - that's a big improvement.
Quote from: LouScheffer on 09/27/2017 12:21 pmQuote from: Space Ghost 1962 on 09/27/2017 04:24 amDon't count your manifest before you make it to orbit the first time.True, but there has definitely been a change in attitude. A lot of folks assumed SpaceX would fail, as space was too technically unforgiving for a startup. Now most are thinking BO will succeed. And they are not even counting out RocketLab, a much smaller private startup. Now we are arguing about economics, not possibility - that's a big improvement.Definitely a change in attitude. Blue is benefiting from fast follower. SpaceX blunted a lot of the skepticism by delivering payloads... (it's still out there, despite SpaceX haveing lifted 30% of the total mass off planet so far this year with reusable first stages and a bit more with expendables). Blue benefits, basically for freeeeeeee. Bezos is smart that way.
But Blue started first, can you really call them a "follower," fast or otherwise?
Quote from: matthewkantar on 09/28/2017 07:13 pmBut Blue started first, can you really call them a "follower," fast or otherwise?Blue was founded earlier. But as SpaceX has done orbital and first stage reuse first, Blue is the follower.Edit: You can dispute the "fast" part of fast follower.