The launch market is so tough that satellite companies are now building their own rockets. AST Space Mobile announced its Blacklift rocket, aiming to significantly expand its total addressable market. The company has signed an agreement with Firefly to acquire engine manufacturing licenses and engineering services. Nine Miranda engines will power Blacklift's first stage.
Historically, developing a new medium- or heavy-lift rocket takes five to nine years. SpaceX's Falcon 9 took 4.7 years, while ULA's Vulcan took 8.7 years with $2 billion in federal support. Other companies like Rocket Lab, Relativity Space, and Stoke Space are also developing new vehicles.
AST Space Mobile won't start from scratch, leveraging Firefly's technology and expertise. This move highlights the challenges in the launch industry and the lengths companies will go to secure reliable access to space.
Source: Ars Technica · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing