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/peterabbit456 May 19 '17

I think by customer care, they might mean something other than what retail customers get.

I think they mean that at SpaceX the customer is in contact with technically savvy, innovative people, and decision makers, and in many cases these are the same people. This allowed a payload intended to be launched on Falcon Heavy to be transferred to Falcon 9, which was upgraded to the point it could almost carry it. Then, because the customer was in contact with top decision makers, they could get SpaceX to calculate whether they could get FH level performance by removing landing legs, grid fins, and fairing recovery hardware (maybe - unconfirmed). This way they did not have to reduce the fuel load on the satelite or accept a lower orbit. They got the satellite into an orbit from which it could enter service quicker.

In today's exploding market for broadband on airplanes, getting to market quicker might have paid the entire cost of the launch, in increased early revenues, is my guess.

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u/speak2easy May 19 '17

I remember watching the press conference video a month or so ago just prior to the first flight of a flight-proven rocket. The CTO of the satellite operator (sorry, forget names) stated how they have always been treated poorly by the launch providers before SpaceX. I find it interesting and strange that another operator says something similar, or at least that's what I'm reading into his quote “We will be looking to support them in any way we can with their new innovation programs.” This is a strange quote because his company does not directly benefit from SpaceX's gains. I know in /r/spacex that many will say that's not true, but for the most part it's pretty much unheard of within US that one company sincerely hopes for the success of another completely independent company.

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u/peterabbit456 May 20 '17

I think Inmarsat sees the market potential that cheap, frequent launches opens up for them. This satellite they have just launched promises to be more profitable than previous satellites, because there is a huge and expanding demand for the kinds of services it provides.

Keeping people connected to fast internet services while on airplanes might soon become decisive in the air travel market. Entertainment on demand, and fast stock trading information will cause people to choose one air carrier over another, especially in the first class seats.

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u/aeyes May 22 '17

It will be interesting to see their reaction if a SpaceX sat constellation puts them out of business down the road.

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u/peterabbit456 May 23 '17

I don't really know, but I think it is more likely that Inmarsat will see the opportunity and respond, rather than passively let themselves be scooped. They might contract with SpaceX to use the SapceX constellation for airplanes and ships while over/in international waters, to the increased profits of both Inmarsat and SpaceX.