News

SpaceX has announced a new series of missions under its rideshare program, aimed at satisfying the increasing demand for launches to mid-inclination orbits. The expansion was quietly unveiled at a recent space industry conference, signaling SpaceX’s determination to dominate the small launch market.

Orbital inclination refers to the part of the Earth visible to a satellite as it orbits around the planet. Equatorial orbits have 0 degrees inclination, sun-synchronous orbits (SSOs) have slightly higher than 90 degrees, and mid-inclination orbits are around 45 degrees. Currently, SpaceX’s Transporter program offers rideshare services on the Falcon 9 rocket to SSOs, which are highly sought after.

However, mid-inclination orbits (MIOs) are becoming increasingly attractive to customers, particularly remote sensing companies looking to enhance their coverage of areas such as Asia and the Middle East. Currently, Rocket Lab is the go-to option for customers seeking dedicated MIO launches.

SpaceX’s new rideshare program, Bandwagon, aims to capture this segment of the market. The company’s website reveals that two Bandwagon missions are already scheduled for 2024, with two more planned for 2025.

Given the success and popularity of SpaceX’s Rideshare program, which has delivered 682 spacecraft to orbit through rideshare missions, Bandwagon could emerge as a major threat to other small launch providers. Jarrod McLachlan, Director of Rideshare Sales at SpaceX, highlighted the company’s track record in his presentation at the conference.

The expansion of SpaceX’s rideshare program to include mid-inclination orbits reflects the company’s commitment to meeting evolving customer demands. With Bandwagon, SpaceX is poised to consolidate its position in the small launch market and further enhance its reputation as a pioneer in the space industry.

The post SpaceX Expands Rideshare Program to Meet Demand for Mid-Inclination Orbits appeared first on ISP Today.