Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc. (GO) has been selected to launch a group of three 3U CubeSats to a 425 km orbit under NASA’s Enabling eXploration and Technology (NEXT) contract. Under this competitively awarded, $2.1M commercial procurement, NASA will become the inaugural customer for the company’s new GOLauncher 2 vehicle, currently in development.
Unfortunately the website does not give any details on the launcher.
Double price compared to piggybacking existing service.
But, do you get to chose your orbit, and not have to wait for a payload headed to a similar orbit? May be twice the price, but the promise is you will fly sooner to the orbit you desire.
QuoteGeneration Orbit Launch Services, Inc. (GO) has been selected to launch a group of three 3U CubeSats to a 425 km orbit under NASA’s Enabling eXploration and Technology (NEXT) contract. Under this competitively awarded, $2.1M commercial procurement, NASA will become the inaugural customer for the company’s new GOLauncher 2 vehicle, currently in development. Double price compared to piggybacking existing service.
Quote from: kevin-rf on 10/01/2013 01:43 pmBut, do you get to chose your orbit, and not have to wait for a payload headed to a similar orbit? May be twice the price, but the promise is you will fly sooner to the orbit you desire. No you don't but there's plenty of opportunities between now and 2016 to actually get delivered to some (ISS most likely for 425km) orbit instead of waiting to see if promises get fulfilled. Pretty CGI newspace promise fulfillment rate has been a bit ... uh ... wanting.
AJ Piplica, the CEO of Generation Orbit, is a friend of mine. I'll be seeing him later this month at the NewSpace Business Plan Competition. Anyone want me to see if I can grab an interview?
For the suborbital version (2x payload of LEO version)GO1 Rocket Vehicle:LOX-Paraffin HybridLength: 19.9 ftDiameter: 17.4 inchesWeight: 1,300 lbmCarrier Aircraft Platform: Gulfstream G-III