Launch Capacity Issues Could Threaten Mega Constellation Viability, Aerospace Says
Launch capacity and delays could be a serious impediment to planned non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) mega constellations because they need to be deployed within a timely fashion to meet FCC milestone requirements, reported Aerospace Corp.'s Center for Space Policy and Strategy…
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Monday. It estimated annual launch rates of 32 to 128, depending on what percentage of the envisioned 20,000 smallsats end up deployed. It said sustaining those constellations with replacement satellites would require another 26 to 102 launches annually, and the NGSO deployment launch capacity shortfall could be from two to 98 launches a year. It said delays could mean profitability is significantly reduced or never achieved. It said the U.S. could charter a working group for better launch demand situational awareness, and could consider providing assistance to NGSO constellations determined to be in the national interest. The company said the FCC and other regulators might want to meet regularly to develop rules allowing more flexibility.