The launch market is entering an unprecedented era of diversity. Executives from all the major launch providers agreed that the satellite market will continue to quickly diversify as smaller satellites become more popular and demand for connectivity ramps up.
Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services President Steven Skladanek said: “The traditional large GEO birds are not a real growth market right now. That particular customer set is struggling with their economic models … The LEO market, however, is growing tremendously.”
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Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX COO, noted the explosion in the smallsat market. Stephane Israel, CEO of Arianespace, added: “I do not believe they will all materialize and survive.”
Kirk Pysher, president of International Launch Services (ILS), said: “By 2022, we believe that the launch market customer needs are going to be extremely diverse, from LEO constellations to MEO and of course GEO.”
Rob Meyerson, Blue Origin President, called for “operational reusability.” “We believe it’s time for humanity go back to the Moon, and this time to stay,” Meyerson said, announcing the Blue Moon program.
Shotwell reiterated SpaceX’s goal of reaching Mars, currently developing a vehicle large enough to carry 100 people as part of its Interplanetary Transport System.
For Skladanek, the biggest concern for the far future is talent transfer. “A lot of the heritage workforce who have been part of the rocket industry for years [are] now ready for retirement. The thing that worries me is we’re not doing enough to ensure we’re transferring talent to this new generation.” VS
