If any of those companies demonstrate orbital capability, I'd expect the US government to step in and find a way to offer continued support to help keep the lights on. Having multiple launch options, regardless of cost, is beneficial for resilience for US space access. While SpaceX is remarkably successful, I'm sure they don't want to put all their eggs in the same basket, especially with a leader that's so...volatile.
Nothing in 1000-1500kg class but that will change in next few months.
Quote from: TrevorMonty on 09/05/2022 06:55 pmNothing in 1000-1500kg class but that will change in next few months.Minotaurs can cover this range. Plus it makes zero sense to fund a dedicated LV for this range unless you have a lot of payload in this range that can't be economically launched on other LVs, that's not the case here. All the so called 1t smallsat launch companies are fanatically developing medium lift LVs, a sure sign that they think there's not enough business in this range.
All the so called 1t smallsat launch companies are fanatically developing medium lift LVs, a sure sign that they think there's not enough business in this range.
Quote from: su27k on 09/07/2022 02:58 amAll the so called 1t smallsat launch companies are fanatically developing medium lift LVs, a sure sign that they think there's not enough business in this range.Is ABL developing a medium or heavy lift vehicle? Honestly, they probably should be, their strategy of "being the Astra of the 1-ton class" risks them going the same way as Astra itself. But they're very quiet about their plans...as befits a "new Astra." At least their ties to Lockheed Martin suggest a buyout option if things go poorly.
Quote from: su27k on 09/07/2022 02:58 amQuote from: TrevorMonty on 09/05/2022 06:55 pmNothing in 1000-1500kg class but that will change in next few months.Minotaurs can cover this range. Plus it makes zero sense to fund a dedicated LV for this range unless you have a lot of payload in this range that can't be economically launched on other LVs, that's not the case here. All the so called 1t smallsat launch companies are fanatically developing medium lift LVs, a sure sign that they think there's not enough business in this range.Will point out that only the Minotaur-C (ex Taurus XL) is available commercially at a high cost of $31k+ per kilogram lofted into orbit. Versus the SpaceX Raidshare price of $1k per kilogram to orbit, which remove many small & micro payloads from the manifests of small lift launch providers.
Will point out that only the Minotaur-C (ex Taurus XL) is available commercially at a high cost of $31k+ per kilogram lofted into orbit. Versus the SpaceX Raidshare price of $1k per kilogram to orbit, which remove many small & micro payloads from the manifests of small lift launch providers.
Kennedy Space Center has awarded the 'Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) Launch Services' contract to Firefly Space Transport Services, LLC for $300,000,000. See: https://sam.gov/opp/650ce62b5ed0455398108cac1c0c2ddf/view
QuoteKennedy Space Center has awarded the 'Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) Launch Services' contract to Firefly Space Transport Services, LLC for $300,000,000. See: https://sam.gov/opp/650ce62b5ed0455398108cac1c0c2ddf/view
How much of a payload improvement would a tri-core Alpha have?Since the regular Alpha carries 745 kg to sun-synchronous orbit, I'd guess this hypothetical variant (which I know won't ever be launched) would carry about 2.2 tons to SSO.
Quote from: ZachS09 on 09/13/2022 11:26 pmHow much of a payload improvement would a tri-core Alpha have?Since the regular Alpha carries 745 kg to sun-synchronous orbit, I'd guess this hypothetical variant (which I know won't ever be launched) would carry about 2.2 tons to SSO.Was originally Beta design but now building something equivalent to Neutron.
NASA has posted the Firefly VADR contract award Justification for Other than Full and Open Competiton (JOFOC)Notice of Intent to Sole SourceNotice ID: 80KSC022JOFOC01Contract Award Date: Sep 09, 2022https://sam.gov/opp/71bb3951c63f49b095f3bd3de9b5a340/viewCopy also attached
NASA Selects Firefly Space Transport Services (STS) as a Launch Provider for Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) MissionsContract awarded based on sole source request from NASA to satisfy the need for multiple spacecraft providers in the 500–1000 kg rangeSeptember 14, 2022 07:12 AM Eastern Daylight TimeCEDAR PARK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Firefly Space Transport Services (STS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Firefly Aerospace, Inc, announced today that the company has been selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to provide launch services for the agency’s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) missions in the 500-1000 kg grouping utilizing its Alpha rocket. The fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract has a five-year ordering period with a maximum total value of $300 million across all contracts.QuoteNASA noted that Firefly is the only launch vehicle provider in this grouping that has completed development and conducted its first test launch.“This award is a pivotal step for Firefly to continue to work with NASA and build upon our existing VCLS and CLPS contracts and our partnership with Northrop Grumman to send cargo to the ISS,” said Firefly Aerospace’s CEO, Bill Weber.Launch vehicle capabilities for the VADR contract are divided into three categories: below 500 kg, 500-1000 kg, and above 1000 kg, with a specification that there be multiple providers for each category. NASA/KSC (Kennedy Space Center) determined that there was only one provider for the 500-1000kg category currently on the VADR contract and posted an intent to enter sole source negotiation with Firefly to fulfill the multiple provider need. Further, NASA noted that Firefly is the only launch vehicle provider in this grouping that has completed development and conducted its first test launch.“Firefly has had a long-standing relationship with NASA and is committed to providing NASA and other U.S. government entities with responsive, repeatable, reliable space transportation services,” stated Jason Mello, President, Firefly STS, LLC. “We are honored to be included in this award and to be one of two vehicles in this class to meet the NASA’s Launch Services Program demand for assured access to space.”The VADR contract will provide a broad range of Federal Aviation Administration-licensed commercial launch services capable of delivering payloads ranging from CubeSats to Class D missions to a variety of orbits. These small satellites and Class D payloads tolerate relatively high risk and serve as an ideal platform for technical and architecture innovation, contributing to NASA’s science research and technology development.Firefly’s Alpha Flight 2 mission is currently scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base on September 19th. Firefly’s VADR award builds on their previous $9.8M award of the VCLS Demo 2, which is currently being prepared for integration and will be flown on their upcoming Alpha Flight 3 mission planned for later this year.
NASA noted that Firefly is the only launch vehicle provider in this grouping that has completed development and conducted its first test launch.
