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Isn't the difference that SpaceX builts the rockets but also does most of the rest too? You pay they and they get your stuff to orbit. With the others, you can
by MikeCapone 16y ago
Isn't the difference that SpaceX builts the rockets but also does most of the rest too? You pay they and they get your stuff to orbit. With the others, you can buy a rocket, but if you aren't NASA, you probably can't get it to orbit.
- roedog 16y agoThey all do it the same way. The launch vehicle provider is responsible for deploying the customer's payload to a given orbit. They work side by side with the customer at the range and in mission control. But they are on the hook to deliver the payload to orbit. The range operator is the principle gatekeeper. You may have noticed that the final delays on the first Falcon 9 launch were related to preparing data for the range safety officer. You don't need NASA or the air force to get to orbit, Telecomm and sattelite tv firms get their satellites to orbit. They work with the ranges for approvals and safety.
- MikeCapone 16y agoOk, I didn't know the other companies did all that too. Thanks for the information.
- colinake 16y agoThe delay was actually because the Range hadn't approved the Flight Termination System on board F9. The Range is really not the gatekeeper for orbit, their job is to protect the public and ensure that the rocket doesn't harm the uninvolved public. Thus the sea lane closures, airspace clearance, clearing of the immediate area, and FTS in case the rocket deviates from it's proper course (within margins, of course).
- roedog 16y agoThanks for the correction. I wasn't sure what the range issue was. I wonder if it was because the FTS was different than the one they flew on Kwajalein on the Falcon 1's or due to different range requirements.
- colinake 16y agoWhat does this even mean? SpaceX and ULA both take stuff to orbit. If you have $$, you can get to orbit on any commercial launch provider.