Satellite operators are in panic mode due to a worsening launch crisis
The satellite industry is facing a launch crisis due to a severe shortage of available rockets, despite record-breaking demand for orbital access. Companies are struggling to deploy constellations as the market remains heavily reliant on SpaceX's Falcon 9.
Why it matters
The bottleneck in launch capacity threatens the growth of the global satellite internet and telecommunications infrastructure.
Will work for launch Satellite operators are in panic mode due to a worsening launch crisis What happens if the Falcon rockets stop flying?
38 The Western launch market would be in big trouble without the Falcon 9. Credit: SpaceX The Western launch market would be in big trouble without the Falcon 9. Credit: SpaceX Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav This should be a golden era of launch.
During the last three years, an average of 270 orbital rockets have launched from Earth, a more than three-fold increase from only a decade ago. By every metric available, the launch industry is crushing it: Prices have never been more competitive, launches never more frequent, and access to space never more rapid.
Paradoxically, though, there is a growing crunch in launch availability.
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