SpaceX announced a ride-share initiative for launching satellites in August 2019. The program is designed to launch small satellites to orbit in a cost-effective and simple way. In February, 2020 Elon Musk officially opened online bookings for satellite operators to make reservations on Falcon 9 rockets.
More than one hundred spacecraft operators have expressed interest since SpaceX launched the innovative ride sharing platform.
Spaceflight Inc. announced it booked a spot on Falcon 9, SpaceX has scheduled the “Smallsat Rideshare Program” first launch for next week, lifting off two Earth observation satellites.
The mission will leverage SpaceX’s Falcon 9 workhorse costing $ 1 million per 440 pounds of cargo, a tiny fraction of the typical cost.
Total launch costs of Falcon 9 rocket have been reduced, in some cases, to below $50 million. In comparison, United Launch Alliance missions cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
Reservation can be made online on SpaceX’s website with information on port size, technical specifications, performance, environments, interfaces, launch site facilities, operations, services, safety and licensing.
Here is the link https://www.spacex.com/rideshare/
SpaceX stated launch costs will be as low as $1 million / 200 kg (440 pounds) to launch satellites into SSO (Sun-synchronous or heliosynchronous orbit), a polar orbit around Earth. In this configuration, the satellite passes over a given point of Earth’s surface at the same local mean solar time. Missions will launch approximately every four months.
PAYLOAD CONFIGURATIONS
Rides can be booked on 15” or 24” Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Secondary Payload Adapter class ports. Custom configurations are available for larger spacecraft.
PAYLOAD SPECIFICATIONS
Port Mass Weight
15’’ 454 kg / 1,000 lb
24’’ 830 kg / 1,830 lb
