Flexible Launch Services

Flexible launch services are recognized as a key trend shaping the satellite industry in 2024-2025.

This trend is driven by a confluence of factors:

1. Rise of Small Satellites:

Smaller, cheaper satellites are becoming increasingly common. These satellites often have more specific launch requirements compared to traditional large satellites.

Flexible launch services can cater to these unique needs by offering a wider range of launch options.

2. Constellation Deployments:

Mega-constellations like Starlink and OneWeb require launching hundreds or even thousands of satellites into specific orbits.

Traditional launch vehicles might not be efficient for such large-scale deployments.

Flexible launch services can address this challenge by providing options for ridesharing on launches or dedicated launches with multiple satellite deployments.

3. Customer Needs:

Satellite operators are demanding more customization from launch service providers. This includes the ability to choose specific orbits, inclinations, and deployment times.

Flexible launch services cater to these needs by offering a more tailored launch experience.

Here’s a table summarizing the key points about traditional launch vehicles vs flexible launch services:

Feature	Traditional Launch Vehicles	Flexible Launch Services
Launch Vehicle Category	Limited options, designed for specific orbits and payloads	A wider range of launch vehicles to accommodate diverse needs
Launch Flexibility	Less flexible, limited options for customization	More flexible, can accommodate a wider range of orbits, inclinations, and deployment times
Customer Needs	Catered to traditional needs (large satellites, standard orbits)	Catered to a wider range of customer needs, including constellations, smallsats, and ridesharing