SpaceX Falcon 1e

[Космос-3794]

Американская компания GeoOptics LLC заявила что обеспечила частное финансирование на постройку и запуск шести спутников ДЗЗ в 2011 году. Спутники предназначаются для сбора метеоданных и изучения климата. Ожидается что одним из потребителей информации будет американское правительство. На спутниках будет использована техника наблюдения известная как радиозатмения GPS сигнала (GPS-RO), разработанная по заказу Национального Агенства по изучению Океанов и Атмосферы (NOAA), заинтересованного в приобретении метеоинформации у частных компаний.
GeoOptics планирует запустить первые шесть 30-килограмовых спутников в конце 2011 года. В дальнейшем, годом позже, к ним прибавится еще 18 спутников.
GeoOptics намеревается в начале 2010 года заключить контракт с Calif.-based Space Exploration Technologies Corp на запуск первых шести спутниковв на ракете Falcon 1e...


http://www.spacenews.com/earth_observation/091120-geooptics-sell-weather-data-noaa.html

[Salo]

http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20100614

Hawthorne, CA – June 14, 2010 – Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and the National Space Organization (NSPO) have signed contract for the launch of NSPO's Earth Observation Satellite, Formosat-5. Formosat-5 will be used to continue the image data service for civilian users and may also carry instruments to conduct space research and scientific experiments.

The National Space Organization (NSPO), the civilian space agency of the Republic of China (Taiwan), is involved in the development of space exploration, satellite construction and development as well as related research, technologies and infrastructure, including the FORMOSAT series of Earth observation satellites. With Formosat-5, NSPO aims to build up capabilities for independent development of spacecraft and payload instruments.

"The launch of Formosat-5 will build on the successful launch and operation of the FORMOSAT satellites, " said Dr. H.P. Chang, Formosat-5 Program Manager of NSPO. "SpaceX's approach to launch services is very well-aligned with our goals and objectives for the program–we are very pleased to partner with them on this launch."

"With over 40 flights now on manifest, SpaceX is positioned to deliver launch services across the increasingly varied needs of our commercial and government customers," said Gwynne Shotwell, President of SpaceX. "We are pleased to be the launch services provider of choice for the FORMOSAT-5 mission and look forward to supporting NSPO on this launch."

Formosat-5 is slated to launch as early as December 2013 from SpaceX's launch site on Omelek Island at the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) in the Central Pacific, about 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii.

[Петр Зайцев]

Formosat-5 is slated to launch as early as December 2013 from SpaceX's launch site on Omelek Island at the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) in the Central Pacific, about 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii.

Меня тоже прикололо, 3 года с половинкой до старта, да поди еще задержат. А потом я вспомнил как представители ULA праздновали по поводу пуска PAN, дескать сделали за 2 года с момента подписания... неслыханно! С такими конкурентами 3.5 года - в самый раз.

[Salo]

http://www.spacex.com/launch_manifest.php

Falcon 1e Inaugural Test Flight   2011 Falcon 1e Kwajalein
ORBCOMM - Multiple flights 2011-2014   Falcon 1e Kwajalein
Astrium (Europe) 2014   Falcon 1e  Kwajalein

5 пусков ORBCOMM, один Astrium и один для Тайваня. Пока семь заказов.

[Salo]

http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/press_centre/astrium-and-spacex-sign-an-agreement-to-bring-falcon-1e-launch-capabilities-to.html

Astrium and SpaceX sign an agreement to bring Falcon 1e launch capabilities to the European institutional market
9 september 2010

      Astrium intends to market Falcon 1e in Europe for the launch of very small payloads

Paris, September 9th, 2010 - Astrium and Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) today signed an agreement to provide dedicated launch services to the European institutional very small satellite market.

This agreement will enable Astrium and SpaceX to market Falcon 1e launch capabilities to space agencies and other institutional customers in Europe for launches to take place through to 2015.

With dedicated launch services, customers with very small payloads can launch independently to low-Earth orbit, giving them greater control over the launch and actual launch schedule. With the Falcon 1e, Astrium and SpaceX will be able to offer these services at the lowest cost per flight.

Alain Charmeau, CEO of Astrium Space Transportation declared: "This agreement will provide European customers with a launch service that complements existing options. In this way, any European customer will be capable of launching very small spacecraft on dedicated launches as primary payloads."

[Salo]

http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20100909

Hawthorne, CA – September 9, 2010 Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Astrium announced a commercial agreement to provide dedicated launch services to the European institutional small satellite market.

Under the agreement, Astrium intends to work with SpaceX to market Falcon 1 launch capabilities to various space agencies and other institutional customers in Europe for launches to take place through 2015.

With dedicated launch services, customers with very small payloads can launch independently to low-Earth orbit, giving them greater control over launch and launch schedule. With the Falcon 1, these services can be provided at the world's lowest cost per flight when compared to any other launch service provider.

"I am proud that such a prominent European leader in space transportation, satellite systems and services would choose to team with SpaceX," said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and CTO. "Our agreement with Astrium opens exciting new doors for SpaceX. Together we will meet the growing demand for reliable, low-cost and dedicated launch services for very small Earth observation and scientific payloads for European institutional customers."

Falcon launch vehicles are designed to provide breakthrough advances in reliability, cost, and time to launch. The primary design driver is reliability — nothing is more important than getting a customer's spacecraft safely to its intended destination.

[Salo]

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1009/09falcon1e/

Astrium will help SpaceX snare European payloads
BY STEPHEN CLARK
SPACEFLIGHT NOW
Posted: September 9, 2010

The agreement covers flight opportunities through 2015 on SpaceX's Falcon 1e rocket, an evolved version of the company's lightweight booster that became the first privately-developed launch vehicle to reach orbit in 2008.

Astrium will help SpaceX market the rocket to European governments and space agencies for dedicated launches of very small satellites.

"With dedicated launch services, customers with very small payloads can launch independently to low Earth orbit, giving them greater control over the launch and actual launch schedule," an Astrium statement said. "With the Falcon 1e, Astrium and SpaceX will be able to offer these services at the lowest cost per flight."

SpaceX's website lists a Falcon 1e launch price of $10.9 million, a figure it says is only applicable through the end of September.

The 81-foot-tall Falcon 1e rocket will be powered by an improved Merlin first stage engine and feature an enlarged payload shroud. It will also debut larger first stage propellant tanks and upgraded avionics.

SpaceX says the Falcon 1e can deliver approximately 1,300 pounds to a circular polar orbit 435 miles high.

"I am proud that a prominent leader in space transportation, satellite systems and services would choose to team with SpaceX," said Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and chief technical officer. "Our agreement with Astrium opens exciting new doors for SpaceX. Together we will meet the growing demand for reliable, low-cost and dedicated launch services for very small Earth observation and scientific payloads for European institutional customers."

Musk said in a July interview that the Falcon 1e's first launch is scheduled for mid-2011 from the company's facility on Omelek Island at Kwajalein Atoll about 2,500 miles south of Hawaii.

The Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft are SpaceX's top priority, putting the Falcon 1e on the backburner for now.

"Any company has to pick its focus," Musk said in July. "I've told the guys we need to stay really focused on keeping the Falcon 9 track record good and making Dragon successful. Falcon 1 is a priority after those. We certainly expect to fly the Falcon 1e next year, but probably not the first quarter though."

Astrium last year contracted with SpaceX for the launch of an unspecified Earth observation satellite on a Falcon 1e rocket.

The Falcon 1e will also orbit 18 second-generation ORBCOMM message relay satellites on multiple flights. Taiwan's National Space Organization also plans to launch its Formosat 5 remote sensing satellite on a Falcon 1e rocket as soon as the end of 2013.

Astrium is a major shareholder in Arianespace, the European commercial launch firm responsible for marketing the Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega rockets internationally.

Jean-Yves Le Gall, Arianespace's chairman and CEO, said Thursday the SpaceX agreement is for standalone launches of payloads smaller than capacity of the Vega rocket.

"It's like comparing apples and oranges," Le Gall said.

Instead of clustering small satellites on a single Vega rocket or a Russian vehicle, customers could opt to place their payload on a dedicated Falcon 1e rocket.

In an interview with Spaceflight Now, Le Gall said the Vega rocket should make its first flight in mid-2011. The solid-fueled Vega launcher can carry more than 3,300 pounds to a standard polar orbit with an altitude of 435 miles, according to the European Space Agency.

[Salo]

Генеральный директор "Космотраса" Владимир Андреев: "Главное преимущество программы "Днепр" - это наличие готовых ракет"

- Расскажите о преимуществах ракеты "Днепр" перед другими средствами выведения такого же класса?

      - Наша ракета обладает рядом уникальных возможностей, которые подарила нам судьба. Конструкторы, создававшие межконтинентальную баллистическую ракету РС-20, думали о том, что когда-либо эта военная ракета сможет использоваться в мирных целях. Схема полета и энергетические запасы ракеты открыли нам, и с каждым годом добавляют, новые преимущества. В этом году работы, выполненные "Южным", "Хартроном-Аркосом" и Конструкторским бюро химавтоматики существенно увеличили энергетические возможности ракеты, ничего кардинально в ней не переделывая. Только за счет изменения схемы полета и работы ее второй ступени. Это дало нам возможность принимать те заказы, которые раньше мы реализовывать не могли. Например, на орбите высотой 700 километров энергетика "Днепра" практически увеличилась в 1,5 раза. За счет оптимизации работы двигательной установки второй ступени ракета со стандартной космической головной частью при старте из Ясного может сейчас вывести на солнечно-синхронную орбиту высотой 700 километров полезный груз массой до 1100 килограмм.

      Наши энергетические характеристики и характеристики по размещению полезного груза дают нам преимущества перед ракетой "Рокот". У нас всегда будут ценовые преимущества перед будущей европейской ракетой легкого класса Vega. Она никак не может быть дешевле нашей, так как эта сложная ракета делается с нуля. У нас появились конкуренты в США - ракета Falcon-1. Но главным преимуществом программы "Днепр" мы считаем наличие готовых ракет. И они будут планомерно, по объективно сложившемуся графику, выводиться Минобороны из эксплуатации. В отличие от конкурентов, по большому счету, нам не надо связываться ни с какими факторами производства и его материального обеспечения. Нужно тратиться только на доработку этих ракет, а это проще, чем делать новую. Кроме того, наличие готовых ракет дает нам возможность планировать программу "Днепр" на далекую перспективу, в том числе и на большое количество пусков.

      Что касается американской ракеты Falcon-1, то полагаю, что эйфория по поводу возможности ее дешевых пусков со временем пройдет как неоправданная. Я не верю, что в США можно сделать ракету класса нашей и пустить ее за 12 млн долларов. Это невозможно, цены выровняются. А когда это произойдет, у потенциального заказчика снова возникнет вопрос: идти на ракету, которая есть, или на ракету, которую ему обещают.

      Со следующего года в России заявлено начало пусков ракеты "Союз-2-1В", но я не думаю, что мы будем конкурировать.

[Salo]

Space Exploration Technologies and EADS's Astrium offer launch services

[Salo]

http://www.spacenews.com/satellite_telecom/110325-orbcomm-different-orbit-next-gen-sats.html

The first two Orbcomm satellites are scheduled for launch as secondary passengers aboard a Falcon 9 rocket carrying an unmanned cargo vessel to the international space station. The station flies in an orbit with an inclination of 51.6 degrees.

Assuming a successful launch, now tentatively scheduled for this summer, a second Falcon 9, this time carrying at least eight Orbcomm satellites as the main payload, would be launched nine months later.

A third Falcon 9 rocket carrying the remaining satellites in the constellation would then occur later in 2012.

Falcon 1e похоже уходит вдаль.