SpaceDev has made commercial launches of microsatellites and nanosatellites available for less than $20 million in less than 20 months with the introduction of the SpaceDev Mission Xcelerator Solution Program.
“We are committed to providing rapid, reliable, low-cost access to space, as reinforced by the price and performance standards embodied in our recently announced SpaceDev Modular Microsatellite Bus (the SpaceDev MMB-100),” said Jim Benson, founding chairman and chief executive officer of SpaceDev.
“Our new Mission Xcelerator Solution Program combines the MMB-100 and a rocket launch vehicle with payload integration services, launch management services and one year of mission support services at a price never before offered – less than $20 million, with an inception to launch target of 20 months.”
“This is an exciting development for the emerging low-cost space market,” said Bill McCoy, CEO of New Galaxy Enterprises and an aerospace industry analyst.
“SpaceDev is developing a reputation for aggressively attacking the traditional barriers to space: high cost, complexity and long lead times. Their novel hybrid rockets and innovative microsatellite designs have provided functionality at a fraction of the historical cost. They are extending their aggressive approach to satellite and rocket design into payload integration, launch services and mission operations.”
SpaceDev recently announced that it signed a contract with SpaceX of El Segundo, CA for the purchase of a Falcon I launch vehicle that SpaceDev intends to use to launch multiple microsatellite payloads and nanosatellite payloads that my be produced by SpaceDev or other suppliers in a launch scheduled for May 2008. Additional optional launches may follow.
“We are anxiously awaiting the successful testing of the SpaceX Falcon I launch vehicle, which is an important component of our initial Mission Xcelerator Solution Program offering. With it, SpaceDev has the capability to design, build, integrate and launch low-cost, high-performance micro- and nano-satellites,” commented Kevin Heath, SpaceDev’s business development manager.
“SpaceDev now uniquely offers one-stop shopping for responsive, affordable and reliable access to space for a wide variety of payloads.”
