Getting Literal for a Fireside Chat 🔥 on Space

3 responses to “Getting Literal for a Fireside Chat 🔥 on Space”

1. 

   jurvetson

   Feb 8, 2021 at 8:21 pm

   Just got an answer from the CEO of Rocket Lab. I asked "What is your current cost/kg to SSO?" A: "We will never be cost competitive with large launch vehicles on cost per kg. I did not answer your question; it depends on the mission."

   The engine

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2. 

   jurvetson

   Feb 10, 2021 at 8:18 pm

   Richard Branson was today’s keynote, with his Virgin Orbit team.

   I asked: What is the current Virgin Orbit price/kg to SSO?
   A: “It’s 11-12M per rocket launch, and we can lift 300kg to 500km SSO, so $35-40K/kg.”

   Followup Q: “Why would a smallsat customer want to pay $35-40K for a SSO 500Km flight when it’s 7-8x higher than a Falcon 9 rideshare? If it’s for tailored orbits, wouldn’t SpaceX + a tug still be cheaper/kg?”

   A: “Some customers don’t want to share a ride with others. The pricing wars have yet to be determined, and the tech of tugs is yet to be proven — how long will they take and what inclination change can they affect.”

   Branson: “if a customer can’t afford to put stuff into orbit, we can do it for an equity stake in them.”

   “VG and VO don’t fit together in any obvious way.”

   Q: “Is space the hardest thing you have ever done?”
   A: “Yes.”

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3. 

   jurvetson

   Mar 14, 2021 at 3:45 am

   From PWC, small sats by year, yellow = constellations and orange=single missions

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