Tag

Launch Market

All articles tagged with #launch market

commercial-space4 days ago•8 min saved

SpaceX Transporter-18 marks the end of the rideshare era for small satellites

The era of cheap, shared rides for small satellites is concluding. SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission, launched on October 1, 2026, highlights a shift in the launch market. Small satellite operators now face a scarcity of affordable launch slots and must secure anchor customers to ensure their missions proceed. The industry is moving away from the 'rideshare' model that previously allowed small payloads to hitch a ride on larger launches, forcing a new strategy for small satellite deployment.

via SpaceNews|

#commercial-space #launch-market #satellite-deployment

technology13 days ago•10 min saved

Starship’s Orbital Debut Triggers Industry Panic as SpaceX Retires Falcon 9 and Dragon

SpaceX’s Starship successfully reached orbit on September 28, deploying Starlink satellites. This milestone accelerates the retirement of Falcon 9 and Dragon, creating a launch supply crisis for commercial operators and leaving NASA reliant on Boeing’s troubled Starliner for crewed flights.

via CNN|

#falcon-9 #launch-market #nasa

technology1 month ago•14 min saved

Starship Pivot Risks Western Launch Crunch as Falcon 9 Winds Down

Despite surging demand for satellite launches, the Western market faces a capacity crunch as SpaceX signals winding down Falcon 9 to focus on Starship, potentially leaving customers reliant on a single workhorse. With rival heavy lifters delayed and new medium‑lift entrants still ramping up, relief is years away, and government intervention discussions exist but likely won’t provide a quick fix.

via Ars Technica|

#falcon-9 #launch-market #satellite-constellations

space-technology2 years ago•2 min saved

"Russia's Strategy to Regain Dominance in Global Space Launch Market"

Russia's once-dominant position in the global launch market has been eroded by reliability issues with its Proton rocket and the limited capabilities of its next-generation Angara rocket, leading to a decline in launches compared to competitors like SpaceX and China. To regain its position, Russia's space corporation chief, Yuri Borisov, outlined a plan to develop a partially reusable replacement for the Soyuz rocket called Amur-CNG, as well as "ultralight" boosters with reusability. However, the timeline for these developments has been pushed back, and it remains uncertain if Russia can restore its dominance in the global launch services market by 2028-2029 as hoped.

via Ars Technica|

#amur-rocket #global-competition #launch-market

space3 years ago•4 min saved

"Space Updates: Ariane 6 Test Delayed, Virgin Galactic Announces 5th Commercial Spaceflight Date, and More"

SpaceX is pushing for faster launch licensing by the Federal Aviation Administration as it awaits final regulatory approval for its Starship rocket's second flight test, which could occur in the first half of November. Virgin Galactic plans to fly its sixth mission in six months on November 2, continuing its impressive monthly cadence. Small launch companies are struggling to compete with SpaceX's dominant position in the launch market, particularly due to Falcon 9's low prices for rideshare launch opportunities. Representatives from SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic have urged lawmakers to extend the nearly 20-year moratorium on federal safety regulations for commercial human spaceflight missions, as they believe the industry is not yet mature enough for new regulations.

via Ars Technica|

#federal-safety-regulations #launch-market #small-launch-companies