2017 was a breakthrough year for the small satellite sector with more than 200 launched. At SATELLITE 2018, the panel on “New Launch Options to Orbit Part 1” addressed the constant challenge echoed in the industry — there are not enough launch options available to get these satellites into orbit.
Jenny Barna, director of launch for Spire, was first to comment. “It’s not surprising at all. There is a hole in the market for smallsats.” Rich Pournelle, vice president of business development at Nanoracks, noted that a critical mass needs to be achieved. “If you look at SpaceX, they went from launching just once every 18 months to once a week. When you have multiple companies with high rates of tempo it will become the marketplace that we want it to be.”
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Virgin Orbit’s CEO Dan Hart commented that “the market is thirsty for launch” — reflected in Virgin Orbit’s busy manifest. For Spire, seeking a monthly launch on average, of 12 launch opportunities, just 7 materialized.
“There is not enough capacity right now across all the different launch vehicles out there,” said Curt Blake, president at Spaceflight.
Launch risk also emerged as an extremely important factor. Barna likened the risk to rolling a dice after Spire experienced multiple failures and lost significant amounts of satellites.
Firefly’s CEO Thomas Markusic noted the importance of momentum for startups. “As a startup company you have to create a buzz and momentum. To develop these small launchers is a $100-million project.”
Hart concluded: “Government will need smallsat launchers because of cost and resilience. There is concern that if you have large satellites, they are prone to attack. However, if you spread it across 50 satellites this is cheaper to launch and they can be easily and cheaply replenished.” VS
