SpaceX rideshare program putting downward pressure on pricesby Sandra Erwin — May 18, 2020Planet VP Mike Safyan: “We are seeing launch providers starting to get more creative.”WASHINGTON — SpaceX for years has been a driving force in lowering the cost of launching large satellites to orbit. The rideshare program the company started in August is now also putting downward pressure on the cost of launching small satellites.
Quote SpaceX rideshare program putting downward pressure on pricesby Sandra Erwin — May 18, 2020Planet VP Mike Safyan: “We are seeing launch providers starting to get more creative.”WASHINGTON — SpaceX for years has been a driving force in lowering the cost of launching large satellites to orbit. The rideshare program the company started in August is now also putting downward pressure on the cost of launching small satellites.https://spacenews.com/spacex-rideshare-program-putting-downward-pressure-on-prices/
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 05/18/2020 11:16 pmQuote SpaceX rideshare program putting downward pressure on pricesby Sandra Erwin — May 18, 2020Planet VP Mike Safyan: “We are seeing launch providers starting to get more creative.”WASHINGTON — SpaceX for years has been a driving force in lowering the cost of launching large satellites to orbit. The rideshare program the company started in August is now also putting downward pressure on the cost of launching small satellites.https://spacenews.com/spacex-rideshare-program-putting-downward-pressure-on-prices/"It’s the equivalent of taking the bus versus an Uber. If there are no buses going to the desired orbit, one option is to pay a higher price for a dedicated launch. Another is to hire space tugs that are now being offered as a service.“That can get you that last mile while still taking advantage of the bigger rideshare rockets,” said Safyan. “I think we’ll see more of that as years go on.”"Momentus Aerospace is one company offering space tugs.
Updated: First launcher in the RFA family designated RFA-1:QuoteRFA-1 is a small liquid fueled orbital launch vehicle, which is being developed by Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), Germany, a subsidiary of OHB System....LINK: https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/rfa-1.htm
RFA-1 is a small liquid fueled orbital launch vehicle, which is being developed by Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), Germany, a subsidiary of OHB System....
Another NZ launch vehicle company.I read about Dawn a couple years but forgot about them. In mean time they've been flying small demo rocket plane. Just released MK11 Aurora which will be capable of multiple suborbital flights a day to 100km.This should start earning them revenue.ESA has helped with engine development.Next step build bigger version to deploy 2nd stage for orbital missions.Finding experienced talent in NZ shouldn't be problem with RL in country. https://www.dawnaerospace.com/deliver
.@RocketLab, @Virgin_Orbit and @Firefly_Space join @jeff_foust on Monday to discuss the state of the small launch industry. Register now to save your spot.
Given its suborbital payload not cubesat that will be deployed into orbit sizing isn't that important.
https://twitter.com/spacenews_inc/status/1288482166062682113Quote .@RocketLab, @Virgin_Orbit and @Firefly_Space join @jeff_foust on Monday to discuss the state of the small launch industry. Register now to save your spot. https://spacenews.com/spacenews-at-smallsat-webinars-register-now-to-reserve-your-spot/
SkySats 19-21 To Launch On SpaceX Falcon 9 Rideshare MissionMike Safyan | August 14, 2020Planet is set to launch three more new SkySats (SkySats 19-21) into Low Earth Orbit on August 18th (date subject to change), rounding out the fleet of SkySats already in operations and joining SkySats 16-18 that successfully launched aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 in June.Planet SkySats 1-15 operate in Sun Synchronous Orbits, a specific type of Low Earth Orbit that results in the Earth’s surface always being illuminated by the Sun at the same angle when the satellite is capturing imagery. Half of the SkySats currently pass overhead in a morning crossing plane, while the other half moves in an afternoon crossing plane, so together they provide the twice-daily coverage of anywhere on Earth.Both sets of new SkySats, 16-18 and 19-21, will operate in a “mid-inclination” orbit of 53 degrees that complements the sun synchronous fleet, and will offer more targeted coverage and imaging capacity in the latitude bands between +53 degrees and -53 degrees where the majority of human activity occurs. By taking advantage of SpaceX’s rideshare program, we were able to get these satellites launched much faster compared to a dedicated launch. In addition, by splitting the payload across two launches, we’re able to phase the mid-inclination SkySats into their respective planes much faster as well, all of which results in Planet’s customers benefiting from these enhanced products much sooner than any other provider can offer.SkySats 19-21 will be launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9, a two-stage reusable rocket that has successfully flown satellites and cargo over 80 times to orbit. They will do so as rideshare payloads on SpaceX’s Starlink satellites, and will launch from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Base in Florida.The rapid launch of SkySats 16-21, as well as the development of our enhanced 50 cm imagery, are just a few examples of how Planet continues to push the envelope to provide industry-leading geospatial offerings that continuously improve over time.Photo: Planet SkySats 19-21 mounted on the Starlink launch adapter, ready for flight. Image provided by SpaceX.
A rush of private investment into the small launch industry in recent years was fueled by the belief that there would be both significant commercial and government demand, she noted. But Starzyk argued that circumstances have changed. “There’s no commercial market that is going to support multiple small launchers by any means.”The most disruptive event has been SpaceX offering rideshare services at a cadence and price point that small launch providers could not possibly compete against, she said.A key selling point for small launchers is that it give satellite operators more control over orbit and schedules compared to secondary payload opportunities that traditionally have been few and far between. “That advantage is wiped out by SpaceX offering flights every two weeks,” she added. “SpaceX answers most of the wants of the smallsat community. So where is the value added of the small launch on the commercial side?”
There's another piece on SpaceNews about possible pressure SpaceX's offering is putting on smallsat launchers: Government’s role in the small launch market not quite black and whiteQuoteA rush of private investment into the small launch industry in recent years was fueled by the belief that there would be both significant commercial and government demand, she noted. But Starzyk argued that circumstances have changed. “There’s no commercial market that is going to support multiple small launchers by any means.”The most disruptive event has been SpaceX offering rideshare services at a cadence and price point that small launch providers could not possibly compete against, she said.A key selling point for small launchers is that it give satellite operators more control over orbit and schedules compared to secondary payload opportunities that traditionally have been few and far between. “That advantage is wiped out by SpaceX offering flights every two weeks,” she added. “SpaceX answers most of the wants of the smallsat community. So where is the value added of the small launch on the commercial side?”
