Setting Expectations for Sustainable Secondary Satellite Launch Aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9
- Paper number
IAC-12,B4,5,4,x15873
- Author
Mr. Dustin Doud, SpaceX, United States
- Year
2012
- Abstract
SpaceX is committed to revolutionizing access to space for the small satellite community by providing highly reliable, low cost launch secondary launch services. In 2010, SpaceX conducted two consecutive successful launches of its Falcon 9 launch vehicle and Dragon spacecraft, proving their capability and becoming the first commercial company to ever return a private spacecraft from orbit. During the second launch, 8 secondary payloads were deployed from 6 PPODs mounted to the second stage. One key challenge of providing affordable and reliable space access is establishing mutual expectations between payload and launch service providers so that the mission integration and management processes do not hinder the primary mission. To better support the viability and aid secondary market growth, SpaceX has developed a standardized launch service agreement and statement of work for secondary payloads. These two documents outline work performed that ultimately leads to a launch service for a secondary payload. This paper describes the reasoning behind offering a standardized level of service, and outlines expectations for future payload providers from a programmatic perspective to enable launch aboard Falcon 9. SpaceX looks forward to offering launch services to this innovative marketplace and continuing to decrease the cost to space.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-12,B4,5,4,x15873.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.