Booking a launch is more than buying a seat on a rocket. Between the first request and the separation of the satellite in orbit, operators go through several phases. Knowing them early helps avoid delays.
1. Define the mission requirements
Everything starts with the target orbit, the satellite mass and size, and the desired launch window. These parameters decide which launchers are possible at all, and whether a rideshare flight or a dedicated launch is the better fit.
2. Compare offers and choose a launcher
Operators request offers from several launch providers and compare orbit, schedule, price, the available interfaces and the provider's flight record. For small satellites, the question is often which rideshare mission reaches the right orbit at the right time.
3. Sign the launch services contract
The contract fixes the launch period, the price, payment milestones and the technical and legal obligations of both sides. It also covers what happens if the launch is delayed or if the satellite is not ready in time.
4. Licences and frequencies
Satellites need a licence from the responsible national authority and coordinated radio frequencies. Launch providers also need their own permits. Depending on the country, rules for space debris mitigation also apply to the satellite operator.
5. Interface documents and analyses
The launch provider publishes a user's guide that defines the mechanical, electrical and environmental conditions during launch. The satellite has to be tested against these conditions, for example for vibration and shock. The results are documented and reviewed together with the provider.
6. Shipping and integration
A few weeks before launch, the satellite is shipped to the launch site, checked again and mounted on the dispenser or adapter. It is then integrated with the rocket and enclosed in the fairing.
7. Launch and separation
On launch day, the rocket delivers the satellite to the agreed orbit and releases it. The operator then establishes first contact with the satellite and begins commissioning.
Plan early
The earlier the mission requirements are clear, the more launch options remain available. On Carrier Space you can compare transport options and send a request directly to providers.
Related reading
- How Are Satellites Launched Into Space? From the Launch Pad to Orbit
- The Launch Campaign: What Happens to a Satellite at the Launch Site
- Launch Insurance and Liability: How Satellite Launch Risks Are Covered
Sources
- SpaceX, Rideshare Payload User's Guide: spacex.com
- FCC, "FCC Adopts New '5-Year Rule' for Deorbiting Satellites": fcc.gov
Cover image: Launch of NASA's DART mission on a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, 23 November 2021. Image: NASA/Bill Ingalls, images.nasa.gov.