News from space transport.
Launches, milestones and background from the world of space transport.
How to Request Launch Quotes: What to Include and How to Compare Offers
What a launch request must contain to get comparable quotes: mass with margin, interface, target orbit, launch window, deployment, propulsion and licence status. How to make pro…
Satellite Launch Lead Times: How Early You Need to Book
How early to book a satellite launch: SpaceX's eight-month rideshare schedule, licensing deadlines from the FCC and NOAA, long-lead hardware and a simple backward plan.
How to Choose a Launch Provider: A 10-Point Checklist for Satellite Operators
Orbit, mass, schedule, price, rebooking, compatibility, licences, insurance, logistics and support: what to compare before you sign with a launch provider.
How to Launch a Satellite: A Step-by-Step Guide From Idea to Orbit
Everything you need to launch your own satellite: mission definition, licenses, choosing a launch, contracts, testing, shipping and operations. With timelines and requirements f…
Launch Delays: Why Satellite Launches Slip and How to Plan for Them
Weather, vehicle readiness, a late payload, licenses or the primary mission: why launch dates move, real NASA examples, what delays cost and how to build buffers into your sched…
Payload Processing at the Launch Site: What Happens Before a Satellite Is Launched
From unpacking in the cleanroom to fueling, encapsulation and rollout: the steps of payload processing at the launch site, with rules, timelines and responsibilities from SpaceX…
Satellite Shipping: How Spacecraft Travel to the Launch Site
By truck or aircraft in climate-controlled containers: how satellites are shipped to the launch site, what environments they must stay in, and which documents and deadlines apply.
Launch Service Agreement (LSA) Explained: What Is in a Satellite Launch Contract?
By truck or aircraft in climate-controlled containers: how satellites are shipped to the launch site, what environments they must stay in, and which documents and deadlines apply.
Interface Control Document (ICD) Explained: How Satellites and Rockets Are Matched
The Interface Control Document defines how a satellite connects to its launch vehicle: mechanical, electrical, environmental and operational interfaces. What it contains, who si…