Space1 min read

Analysts find looming launch crisis is "more severe" than anticipated

By · Via Ars Technica · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Industry analysts report that the emerging deficit in space launch availability is turning out worse than earlier projections indicated. A major factor exacerbating these operational concerns is the lack of current evidence showing that Starship will be deployed to carry conventional satellite payloads. As a result, commercial and standard space missions may continue to struggle to secure necessary manifest slots.

Key points

  • Growing deficits in orbital launch availability are exceeding prior expectations establis…: Growing deficits in orbital launch availability are exceeding prior expectations established by commercial space analysts.
  • Traditional satellite operators cannot currently rely on Starship to solve their immediat…: Traditional satellite operators cannot currently rely on Starship to solve their immediate deployment capacity constraints.
  • The overall severity of the launch shortage indicates persistent manifest challenges for…: The overall severity of the launch shortage indicates persistent manifest challenges for standard space missions ahead.

There's no evidence that Starship will launch traditional satellites, either.

Space