Every satellite project reaches the same question at some point: should the spacecraft share a rocket with other payloads, or should it fly on a launcher booked only for this mission? Both paths are used every month, and both have clear strengths and limits.
How rideshare works
On a rideshare mission, one rocket carries many satellites from different customers. The launch provider sets the target orbit and the launch date, and each customer books a place on the mission. SpaceX runs its Transporter and Bandwagon missions this way on Falcon 9. On its rideshare website, SpaceX offers an online tool that returns an estimated price for a given orbit, launch date and payload mass, and it states a maximum mass of 831 kg per port.
How a dedicated launch works
On a dedicated launch, the rocket carries one customer's payload. The customer can choose the exact orbit and has more influence on the launch date. Small launchers are built for this market. Rocket Lab's Electron, for example, can carry up to 300 kg to low Earth orbit according to Rocket Lab.
Comparing the two options
- Orbit: Rideshare flies to the orbit the provider has planned. A dedicated launch goes where the customer needs it.
- Schedule: Rideshare dates depend on the main mission and on all other customers. A dedicated launch follows the customer's own timeline more closely.
- Cost: Rideshare splits the cost of one rocket across many payloads, so the price per satellite is usually lower. A dedicated small launcher costs more per kilogram but offers more control.
- Constellations: Operators who need satellites in specific orbital planes often book dedicated flights for exactly that reason.
Which option fits your mission?
The right choice depends on the required orbit, the deadline and the budget. Many operators use both: rideshare for early test satellites and dedicated launches when the constellation has to be built out in defined planes. With Carrier Space you can compare both types of transport and send a request directly.
Frequently asked questions
What is a rideshare launch?
On a rideshare mission, one rocket carries satellites from many customers to an orbit chosen by the launch provider, and each customer books a place on the flight. SpaceX runs its Transporter and Bandwagon missions this way.
Is rideshare cheaper than a dedicated launch?
Usually yes per satellite, because the cost of one rocket is split across many payloads. A dedicated launch costs more per kilogram but gives control over the orbit and the launch date.
When is a dedicated launch the better choice?
When a satellite needs a specific orbit or a firm schedule, or when a constellation has to be deployed into defined orbital planes.
Can a satellite change orbit after a rideshare launch?
Yes, with its own propulsion or with an orbital transfer vehicle, which carries satellites from the rideshare drop off orbit to individual destinations.
Related reading
- Small Launchers Compared: Electron, Spectrum, RFA One and Vega-C
- Space Tugs Explained: How Orbital Transfer Vehicles Deliver Satellites
- CubeSats Explained: Sizes, Standards and How They Reach Orbit
Sources
- SpaceX, Satellite Rideshare: rideshare.spacex.com
- Rocket Lab, Electron: rocketlabcorp.com
Cover image: Falcon 9 launch of the GRACE-FO mission, 22 May 2018. Image: NASA/Bill Ingalls, images.nasa.gov.