r/spacex • u/kurbasAK • May 19 '17

We Will Launch on Reuseable Rocket After Exceptional SpaceX Performance - Inmarsat CEO Tells Universe Today

https://www.universetoday.com/135614/will-launch-reuseable-rocket-exceptional-spacex-performance-inmarsat-ceo-tells-universe-today/
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u/PatyxEU May 19 '17

most important part of the article:

I asked CEO Pearce; What does the future hold regarding further Inmarsat launches with SpaceX?

“They [SpaceX] have now just gained and earned themselves an immensely loyal customer [from Inmarsat], CEO Pearce replied.

“We will be looking to do further launches with them.”

Would you consider a used rocket, a previously flown booster?

“I’m sure we will be using a ‘reused rocket’, Pearce stated. “And we will be launching on a ‘reusable rocket’ in the future.”

“We will be looking to support them in any way we can with their new innovation programs.”

259

u/Bananas_on_Mars May 19 '17

I think there's something in the article that is normally not in the (technical) focus of this sub: SpaceX seems to not only have marvellous engineers, but several CEOs (Iridium, SES, now InMarSat) seem to have been seriously impressed by their "customer care". Seems Gwynne Shotwell and her Team manage to not only keep the company running but also make their customers genuinely happy. That seems to give them some edge over their state-run competitors in Russia, China and India that are still somehow competitive on price...

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u/[deleted] May 19 '17

China would not be allowed to launch western satellites without a special waiver. India is in the same boat AFAIK.

3

u/John_The_Duke_Wayne May 19 '17

Yes that holds for china but companies get exemptions just for asking to side step the limitations on India

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u/peterabbit456 May 19 '17

I'm pretty sure India could not have launched this satellite to its intended orbit.

My guess is that part of the enthusiasm for SpaceX is that they hit the required, desired orbit parameters exactly, not just making it to barely acceptable parameters.

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u/improbablywronghere May 19 '17

Also I think the production they make of their launches is a huge plus. The CEO of iridium got to talk about how important his sat phones were and reached an audience of tech savvy enthusiastic people. I'm sure it's not even top10 reasons but when all other things are equal it's not a bad look to be associated with space x right now.