With Vulcan, Ariane 6, and New Glenn all debuting in the past 15 months, the SATELLITE 2025 launch panel took place at a pivotal moment as providers ramp to break Falcon 9’s near-monopoly.
Arianespace CEO David Cavailloles said the company plans five Ariane 6 launches in 2025, targeting 10 per year going forward, and is expanding into end-to-end mission services: “Our clients are asking for more and more tailored missions. This ability to do end-to-end services including in-orbit services is something we should be looking at.” About one third of Arianespace’s backlog is institutional and two thirds commercial.
Explore the Show Daily 2025 Day 3 Issue
Check out more from this issue and find your next story to read.
Blue Origin’s Jarrett Jones (SVP, New Glenn) said the rocket is positioned for constellation demand: “We counted on the fact we would see more constellations. We need to demonstrate our usability, rate, and then focus on doubling the rate.” He called cheap access to space the real disruptor: “The disruptor is gaining that low cost access to space. We are living in a really good time for space exploration. We believe the technology has caught up with demand.”
SpaceX VP Stephanie Bednarek said SpaceX flew 134 launches in 2024 and is targeting 170 in 2025. On Starship: “I think it is difficult to understate how Starship will change the launch market. I think this will be a significant disruptor … I think the way customers buy launch services will also change.” — acknowledging the back-to-back failures in the seventh and eighth test flights.
ULA VP of Vulcan Development Mark Peller pointed to demand as the real disruptor: “The demand is huge. There are order books behind that demand.” He also said ULA is pursuing a roadmap toward reusability: “We view it as important and we have a roadmap to get there.”
Rocket Lab VP Brian Rogers highlighted the Neutron medium-lift vehicle as the right size for emerging constellations. Panelists reached consensus that launch pricing will continue to fall as competition and innovation intensify. VS
