SpaceX Debuts Its “Rideshare” Program For Cheaper Satellites Launches
Saanvi Araav - Aug 30, 2019
SpaceX launched its SmallSat Rideshare Program, an initiative designed to make it easier — and cheaper — for smaller satellite operators.
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On August 5, SpaceX debuted a new program called the SmallSat Rideshare Program. It is an initiative to reduce the cost and hassle for satellite launches. This initiative will allow small satellite operators to share the fee of scheduled launches.
Today, the majority of small satellite operators reduce the launching cost by hitching a ride on a rocket that was on its way to deliver a big payload to the orbit. The operator of the big payload will be responsible for most of the fee.
But the problem with this method is that smaller companies will have to depend on the timeline of big companies. For one reason or another, if he big operator decides to delay the launch; the small satellite operator has to reschedule its launch as well.
With this new "Rideshare" initiative, SpaceX will be in charge of pre-scheduling rocket launches, allowing small satellite operators to book their spots on the rockets in advance. So basically the launch will still continue given if some of the companies pull out. Therefore, it eliminates the unexpected delays.
If a small satellite operator really has to delay its satellite launch, SpaceX will then put 100% of what that operator paid already toward rebooking.
And for the pricing of this booking, SpaceX says that a launch will have a starting price of 2.25 million dollars for up to 330 pounds (150 kilograms) payload and 4.5 million dollars for 660 pounds (300 kilograms) payload. This is much cheaper than the 57 million dollars minimum that the operator would have to pay for a whole rocket of SpaceX.
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