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Cool! Because I was curious: Rocket Lab's Electron is about $27k/kg payload, while Virgin's Launcher One is "less than" $40k/kg to the same orbit. So more, but
by arijun 6y ago
Cool!
Because I was curious: Rocket Lab's Electron is about $27k/kg payload, while Virgin's Launcher One is "less than" $40k/kg to the same orbit. So more, but not crazy if you need some of the benefits Virgin gives, like a slightly bigger payload maximum (300 vs 225kg) or ability to launch from the US (or possibly the UK soon?)
Still, I wonder if there's enough business at that size to support a more expensive entrant.
- PopeDotNinja 6y agoI wonder how viable this business model is without a 747, which will be ending it’s production run soon. I’m sure used 747s will be around for a long time, but at maintenance costs go up, parts availability goes down, etc. Eventually the 747 will not be viable, and I’m not sure there’s a suitable replacement.
- randallsquared 6y agoThat's decades away, though. In less than one decade, we may see daily Starship launches for prices that completely obsolete this.
- bryanlarsen 6y agoRocket lab's max payload is now 300kg, and they now have a pad in Virginia. https://www.rocketlabusa.com/about-us/updates/rocket-lab-increases-electron-payload-capacity-enabling-interplanetary-missions-and-reusability/#:~:text=August%204%2C%202020%20%E2%80%93%20Rocket%20Lab,300%20kg%20(660%20lbs) https://www.rocketlabusa.com/about-us/updates/rocket-lab-inc....
- niffydroid 6y agoDoesn't launching from a plane rather than a launch pad indicate you need less infrastructure (a launch pad), fuel differences etc. I can imagine this is a good way to quickly get a satellite in the air from any location and into a preferred orbit. Although this means you need the rocket and satellite already made and stored.
- bryanlarsen 6y agoAstra needs a lot less ground facilities than Virgin Orbit does.