Unrelenting demand for launch availability, particularly from LEO constellation operators, is pushing launch providers to diversify and adapt their existing vehicle lineups. A common thread running through major launch companies’ strategies at SATELLITE 2018 is the need to accommodate “opportunistic” launches for smaller satellites — while still serving the traditional medium-heavy lift market.
MHI is bringing a new rocket to market called H3, said Mitsubishi Vice President Ko Ogasawara. The medium-lift rocket will come in multiple variants, including a small version “cheaper for constellation or smallsat programs.” H3 will increase the company’s average launch rate from four per year to 10.
Explore the Show Daily 2018 Day 3 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
ILS is now offering a smaller two-stage launch vehicle, Proton Medium. According to ILS President Kirk Pysher, the rocket’s 5.2-meter fairing is well suited for deploying LEO constellations. “The restartable Breeze M upper stage allows us to insert in multiple planes, so that vehicle is in the sweet spot of where we believe the market is today,” Pysher said.
ULA is shifting its attention to the commercial marketplace, said president and CEO Tory Bruno. Rather than adapt a new vehicle for dedicated smallsat launches, ULA is investing in a new heavy lift rocket called Vulcan. “Will spacecraft get bigger or smaller? We realized the answer was yes,” Bruno said.
Arianespace’s Ariane 6 is set to debut in 2020 at a lower cost per launch. “We’re targeting a cadence of 11 launches a year with [Ariane] 6, but if there is demand we can go further,” said CEO Stephane Israel.
For Blue Origin CEO Bob Smith: “I think there’s a lot of opportunity when those [launch] costs come down. It’s already started to materialize.” VS
