35 ms·
Edit: terafo pointed out I've got BO rocket's names wrong! Fixed! And most of these launches on rockets that have never flown. > The satellites will fly on po
by mabbo 5y ago
Edit: terafo pointed out I've got BO rocket's names wrong! Fixed!
And most of these launches on rockets that have never flown.
> The satellites will fly on powerful rockets currently being developed by European launch provider Arianespace, US-based United Launch Alliance, and Blue Origin
Arianespace: probably the Ariane 6, which might get a test flight this year if all goes perfectly.
ULA: 9 launches planned on the Atlas V, but afaik the rest will have to be on Vulcan. But Vulcan is still waiting on Blue Origin to provide it's new BE-4 engines, which are years late.
Blue Origin: New Glenn uses same engines as Vulcan, the BE-4, stuck by the same delays. Plus, if BO uses the BE-4 on New Glenn before delivering to ULA, ULA will get very upset.
My guess is that the Atlas V launches will launch a few test satellites for Kuiper to prototype with, and nothing else will launch until mid-23. Meanwhile SpaceX is launching almost weekly right now, and offering a real product today.
- oses 5y agoThe engine situation actually looks even more grim for New Glenn than what you portray. The differences between making an engine survive flight once and one that can be reused are not insignificant.
- terafo 5y agoYou confused New Shepard and New Glenn. New Shepard uses BE-3 and performs sub-orbital flights for rich tourists. New Glenn is heavy reusable orbital rocket that uses BE-4.
- mabbo 5y agoThanks, my mistake. Sheppard was the first American in space, Glenn the first to orbit, so it should be easy to remember.
- loudmax 5y ago> New Glenn is heavy reusable orbital rocket That's "will be a heavy reusable orbital rocket". New Glenn hasn't flown yet, even in prototype. I'm looking forward to seeing it in action. But I'm not holding my breath.
- elteto 5y agoYeah, this is a red flag. I expect actual launches to happen in 2+ years.
- Fatnino 5y agoAll the remaining Atlas V launches are spoken for. Another customer will have to back out before Kuiper can get on an Atlas V.