Rocket Development Costs by Vehicle: Payload Research
In 2008, Falcon 1 became the first privately funded, fully liquid-fueled launch vehicle to reach orbit. Its development cost? Just $90M ($131M inflation adj.).
Research
Insights and analysis from Payload Research
Tracking Next-Gen LEO Satcom Constellations: Payload Research
Out are the days of onesie twosies large GEO satcom birds, and in are the mega-constellations in LEO, consisting of an army of hundreds or thousands of smaller satellites that provide ultra-fast connectivity.
Iridium and the Satcom R&D Lifecycle: Payload Research
Iridium provides a good example of the sector’s R&D lifecycle.
Charts Defining the Space Industry in Q2: Payload Research
There were 63 total global launches in Q2 2024, a 40% YoY increase. The usual suspects, SpaceX and China, are once again leading the charge.
Starlink Mini Impact and Rapid Terminal Iteration: Payload Research
Last week, SpaceX unveiled the Starlink Mini terminal, a laptop-sized device capable of delivering high speed internet nearly anywhere in the world.
LEO and GEO Satellite Operators Battle it out on EPFD Rules: Payload Research
Late last year, the World Radio communication Conference (WRC-23) approved a proposal to review EPFD (Equivalent Power Flux Density) limits, a critical juncture in rights negotiations between GEO and LEO operators that sets the stage for regulatory action by 2027 or 2031.
A Look Into China’s Defense Payloads: Payload Research
Over the last decade, China has grown its military presence in space to include sophisticated space planes, recon birds, secure comms, SSA, and ASAT capabilities.
Tracking EchoStar’s Subscriber Declines: Payload Research
EchoStar reported another quarter of declining revenue last week as its Hughes Network satellite broadband, TV (Dish + Sling), and retail wireless (Boost Mobile) subscriber base continues to shrink.
Starliner by the Numbers: Payload Research
With Starliner slated to transport crew to the ISS for the first time next week, we’re digging into all the money spent to get here—from NASA’s contributions and seat pricing to the total development expenditures.
Payload Research: China’s 2024 Space Day Updates
China held its annual Space Day conference last week, unveiling new insights into the space program’s hardware development.
Payload Research: Detailing Launch Startup Funding Part 2 (Firefly Aerospace)
Last week, we covered ABL, Relativity, and Stoke funding, three launch startups that have yet to reach orbit. This week, we are focusing on a business that has hit its orbital proof point, Firefly Aerospace.
Payload Research: Detailing Launch Startup Funding
The next few years are make or break for launch startups—either achieve orbit and scale or go the way of Astra and Virgin Orbit.