It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through 2024. So many launches have occurred that looking closely at what’s happened so far might be beneficial.
Do you think there have been less launches for a few other reasons? For example, Ariane 6 has been slow to come online after the retirement of Ariane 5, but then again, the Ariane vehicle wasn’t a frequent launcher. Also, for example, ULA has been working on bringing Vulcan online, but that has been a slow transition too.
I'm unsure about your question, as there have been more launches...it's just that there have been less spacecraft deployed. Neither Ariane 5 nor the Atlas/Delta line were rideshare workhorses (although ULA did conduct a few rideshares). Which, to me, means that their absence didn't impact the spacecraft deployment numbers for 1H24.
He wrote a follow-up in that conversation that the companies that used those rideshares are in dire straits, with some just going under.
Make of that what you will, but it sounds like maybe there aren't as many customers for launch and rideshare today when compared with the previous few years.
Do you think there have been less launches for a few other reasons? For example, Ariane 6 has been slow to come online after the retirement of Ariane 5, but then again, the Ariane vehicle wasn’t a frequent launcher. Also, for example, ULA has been working on bringing Vulcan online, but that has been a slow transition too.
Hi Brandon!
I'm unsure about your question, as there have been more launches...it's just that there have been less spacecraft deployed. Neither Ariane 5 nor the Atlas/Delta line were rideshare workhorses (although ULA did conduct a few rideshares). Which, to me, means that their absence didn't impact the spacecraft deployment numbers for 1H24.
Someone on Twitter/X noted to me that Falcon 9 rideshares are going down because the company has been burning through its satellite customer backlog: https://twitter.com/TheRTest/status/1813003335110119558.
He wrote a follow-up in that conversation that the companies that used those rideshares are in dire straits, with some just going under.
Make of that what you will, but it sounds like maybe there aren't as many customers for launch and rideshare today when compared with the previous few years.