Some people may wonder why we use exactly the same stage structures on both F5 and F9. From a structural optimization standpoint, it is obviously more efficient to reduce the tank size for Falcon 5. However, that would require considerable additional investment in a different set of tooling, transport and ground support equipment, umbilical tower, aerodynamic calculations, test fixtures, etc. By making use of exactly the same stage structures for F5 and F9, our investment and launch costs are minimized. As those familiar with space transportation know, reliability & cost are the real problem, not squeezing out the last bit of performance.
How far along is this company? Is there enough business to keep it afloat? Is there really a need for an independent rocket industry? Here is a report that answers those and other questions about the feasibility and future of this pioneering rocket company.
The Launch Manifest is GrowingCustomer - Launch Date - Vehicle - Departure Point
US Defense Dept (DARPA) - Q4 2005 - Falcon 1- Kwajalein
US Defense Dept (OSD/NRL) Q4 2005 Falcon 1 - Vandenberg
Malaysia (ATSB) - Q2 2006 - Falcon 1 - Kwajalein
US Government - Q2 2007 - Falcon 9 - Kwajalein
Bigelow Aerospace - Q1 2008 - Falcon 9 - Kwajalein
US Commercial - Q2 2008 - Falcon 1 - Vandenberg
MDA Corp. - Q3 2008 - Falcon 1 - Vandenberg
Swedish Space Corp.- Q4 2008 - Falcon 1 - Vandenberg
US Air Force $100 million contract thru 2010 Falcon 1 TBDIn addition to the six Falcon 1 launches, we now have two customers on the Falcon 9 launch manifest, one US government customer in 2007 and then Bigelow Aerospace in 2008. With Falcon 9's ability to place any size of satellite into geosynchronous orbit, we are seeing considerable interest from the commercial satellite sector. I'm confident that after the launch of Falcon 1, we will be able to add a number of new customers for Falcon 9.
A note from Elon Musk about pricing:
I want to emphasize that although SpaceX development is now primarily on the Falcon 5/9, Falcon 1 is and will always remain a very important part of our business. All of us at SpaceX really believe in the small satellite market and we will never turn away from it or relegate it to a back corner. I think that once the satellite market has time to adapt to its existence, Falcon 1 may very well see the highest launch rate per year of any rocket in the world.
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