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Rocket Lab, known for its Electron smallsat launcher, will also build satellites it launches for customers:
Rocket Lab, one of the biggest startups in the NewSpace category of companies providing launch and satellite services, has added satellite manufacturing to the array of services it offers to customers.
The company, which already had developed launch capabilities and has begun sending payloads into space, can now deliver fully built satellites to its customers, according to a statement.
The "Photon" satellite platform was developed so that customers would not have to build their own satellite hardware.
"Small satellite operators want to focus on providing data or services from space, but building satellite hardware is a significant barrier to achieving this," said Rocket Lab founder and chief executive Peter Beck, in a statement. "The time, resources and expertise required to build hardware can draw small satellite operators away from their core purpose, delaying their path to orbit and revenue. As the turn-key solution for complete small satellite missions, Rocket Lab brings space within easy reach. We enable our customers to focus on their payload and mission – we look after the rest."
Also at Space News and The Verge.
See also: Rocket Lab building spacecraft to pair with its rockets, likely saving start-ups millions of dollars
Previously: Rocket Lab's Modest Launch is Giant Leap for Small Rocket Business
Rocket Lab Mission for NASA Successfully Launches 13 CubeSats
Rocket Lab Successfully Launches R3D2 Mission for DARPA
(Score: 2) by AssCork on Thursday April 11 2019, @05:19PM (1 child)
How much per oz/kilo to send something into low-earth orbit?
Are we talking entry-level prices? $500 USD?
Or is this the "Tesla" of space? - We'll send it up and bring it down for $30,000 USD per oz
Just popped-out of a tight spot. Came out mostly clean, too.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Thursday April 11 2019, @09:21PM
Smallsat launchers have a lower price per launch but a high price per kg launched.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_(rocket) [wikipedia.org]
SpaceX can lift well over 100 times that payload for 10x the price.
Fully-reusable Starship could be the Electron killer though, offering a comparable price to an Electron launch and even more payload/orbit capability.
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