SpaceX deal boosts Falcon 9's secondary payload manifest

[gin455res]

Didn't spacex invest in surrey satellite technology, who make small sats, a few years ago?

[Robotbeat]

Didn't spacex invest in surrey satellite technology, who make small sats, a few years ago?

I think they sold off their stake.

[peter-b]

Didn't spacex invest in surrey satellite technology, who make small sats, a few years ago?

They bought a 2% stake in SSTL from the University of Surrey. That stake was sold to Astrium as part of Astrium's purchase of the company.

[nimbostratus]

2 pics, NSFers here should be able to understand.

[cscott]

2 pics, NSFers here should be able to understand.

I'd say the second is far more likely (if either is likely at all).  SpaceX have shown a specific reluctance to create more than a single fairing for the Falcon, even though it is widely acknowledged that Falcon 9's fairing is "too big" and Falcon Heavy's fairing is "too small".   Fairing separation is on the critical path to mission success, for the sake of reliability they are putting all their eggs in one basket.

[TrevorMonty]

The first option allows for a crew dragon. Plus a failure of fairing wouldn't effect dragon's mission.

[Zed_Noir]

...
Anyone can manufacture a satellite (with the strict definition ). Comm packages and remote sensing is different. SpaceX manufactured a spacecraft, not a comm sat and not an imaging platform.

SpaceX will need comsat & remote sensing capabilities for their Mars orbital infrastructure eventually. So they might developed something for evaluation in Earth orbit and/or cis-Lunar space that can be lifted up as secondary payload.

IMO. If SpaceX think they can build a small comsat or a small remote sensing platform cheaper in house and need the capabilities, they will build it.

[Robotbeat]

Why do you think SpaceX will do that? They didn't build GPS or TDRS or Earth remote sensing. Mars already has good remote sensing from multiple platforms and even some telecom capability (which can work as a geospatial capability in a pinch). NASA also is contracting for commercial communications at Mars, so SpaceX will have yet more infrastructure.

SpaceX only does vertical integration if they have to. Doesn't make sense in this case.

[Zed_Noir]

Why do you think SpaceX will do that? They didn't build GPS or TDRS or Earth remote sensing. Mars already has good remote sensing from multiple platforms and even some telecom capability (which can work as a geospatial capability in a pinch). NASA also is contracting for commercial communications at Mars, so SpaceX will have yet more infrastructure.

By the time the MCTs departs to Mars. How many of the current and planned orbiters will be viable and have spare bandwidth & sensory capacities?

Besides why depend on someone else for all your Mars orbital infrastructure needs.

Maybe SpaceX might be the one deploying the Martian communication network. Not necessary building the comsats.

SpaceX only does vertical integration if they have to. Doesn't make sense in this case.

I did say if they can do it cheaper and needs it.

We are getting OT, will not comment further on stuff not relevant to the OP. 

[Danderman]

Any new information on SpaceX secondary payloads, or shall we talk about Mars and SpaceX building small satellites and ideas for modifying SpaceX fairings?

[llanitedave]

The first option allows for a crew dragon. Plus a failure of fairing wouldn't effect dragon's mission.

Fairing separates just after second stage ignition.  First option would require keeping it to orbit, dragging along a lot of useless mass.