Axios Space – September 17, 2019



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Relativity Space and Momentus – 2 companies look for take advantage of the growth of the small satellite sector – associate.

Driving the news: Relativity – who tries to create the world's first fully 3D rocket – plans to launch satellites into orbit for the first time in 2021 with the Momentus space tug system.

  • From its initial orbit, the Momentus shuttle system will propel these small and medium-sized satellites to their final destination in a geosynchronous orbit.
  • Companies have indicated that there is an option for 5 additional launches.

The big picture: Euroconsult predicts that the industry of manufacturing and launching small satellites will reach $ 42.8 billion from 2019 to 2028, a size almost four times larger.

Where he is: By signing this agreement, Momentus and Relativity hope to offer their customers access to more orbits once they have started flying.

  • As a general rule, small satellites gain space by hitching large loaded rockets. These small spacecraft are usually delivered to orbits that many satellites can use.
  • The Momentus system is designed to route satellites to other more specialized orbits after launch, allowing their customers to save money that would have been spent on a dedicated launcher.
  • Relativity is trying to break into the small pitcher industry, becoming more and more crowded, differentiating itself as a new type of flexible and responsive rocket company.

Yes, but: Some experts worry about the formation of a bubble in the small rocket sector, dozens of companies wishing to connect to the Internet in the coming years.

  • Relativity Space, which plans to launch its first rocket next year or early 2021, sees the flexibility offered by 3D printing as a huge advantage in the market.
  • "The printing technology can be extended," said Axios Jordan Noone, CTO of Relativity Space. "A plant we have today could build a fleet of rockets this week and then a fleet of airliners or drones next week."

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