Description: The next innovative space discovery is always just around the corner. For rocket maker companies, the next big question is whether or not they should invest in small rockets. We take a look at some space news to examine this.
When it comes to the race for improved space exploration capacity, large rockets have primarily dominated the marketplace. If a rocket maker wants to engineer parts for a rocket, they will usually be manufacturing parts for a larger craft that will be launched into high orbit. However, with the increasing number of small private start-ups in the space industry, more and more small rockets are being made.
There are both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to small orbital rockets. Manufacturers and investors still have many questions about whether this is a market that will really come to compete with the industry for larger crafts. Like so much of our information about space exploration and travel, it is untested on an open marketplace, as many larger space projects still rely heavily on government funding. Some experts wonder whether the demand for small rockets will really grow over time, or if this is something that will remain niche and specialized. If you’re a rocket maker in the current space race climate, it’s certainly a question you will no doubt be giving some thought over the coming months.
Why Have Rocket Maker Companies Previously Focused on Large Crafts?
There are numerous reasons why, so far, space travel has been the realm of the large orbital rocket. Although larger rockets are extremely expensive to manufacture, they can also carry more weight and reach higher altitudes in space. This means it is possible to take more state-of-the-art equipment on missions and push the boundaries of space exploration technology.
Small lift rockets, by comparison, must have lighter, more streamlined parts. Currently, most small launch crafts can carry up to 2,000kg of weight and equipment. This means that small rocket components must comply with this weight and this limits the amount of technology and equipment that these crafts can accommodate.
Another reason for the ubiquity of large space crafts is the fact that most launch sites are designed for larger vehicles. Therefore, smaller crafts may have to wait for larger launches to take place and piggy-back on these vehicles. This makes investors wary when it comes to putting money into the development of smaller rockets.
Launches of larger ships are commonly delayed and those wishing to launch small rockets are tied to these schedules if they hope to ‘rideshare.’ Investors may not want to risk placing their capital in ventures that may be indefinitely delayed. Delays could also cause previous investors to withdraw money, which could ultimately shrink the market and signal low demand for small rockets.
How Small Rockets Work
Despite the reservations of many in the industry, there has been a rise in the number of rocket maker companies engineering small crafts. There is also some sense of hope in the industry that an increase in small rocket availability will make space exploration more efficient over time. Here’s a few of the key reasons why the small craft might be here to stay:
- More Efficient Satellite Delivery
Networks of space satellites are some of the most important technological systems in modern life. Although we may not realize it, we rely on satellites to provide many of the mod-cons and global security systems that we enjoy on Earth. An increased availability of small rockets would allow for the placement of more satellites over a shorter period of time. This could help advance systems like global internet and tracking, navigation, and GPS functions, which are largely controlled by satellites.
- Faster Travel Capacity
Small rockets are lighter and less weighed down by equipment. This means they can reach low orbit faster and potentially complete missions in a shorter space of time. This could have the effect of boosting demand as investors want to see results quickly in projects that they fund.
- Cost Efficiency
In some ways, larger ships are more cost-effective to produce. This is because they can carry a heavier payload and, therefore, complete longer and more complex, equipment-heavy missions. However, if private investment in rocket maker companies producing small crafts takes off, this could all change. After all, building smaller ships will ultimately be cheaper than building huge crafts if there is a high enough demand.
Who Is Building Small Rockets?
Rocket maker company, Rocket Lab, have so far launched 15 small rockets into space. However, experts caution, they are part of a government-funded program and, therefore, may not fully reflect market performance. Elsewhere, however, larger rocket maker firms, like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, have been experimenting with building small crafts. Perhaps, with enough private interest, one of them will become known as a small rockets company as well as building higher payloads.
Conclusion
It is yet to be seen how many rocket maker companies will respond to calls for smaller crafts. It is certainly an area of the industry to watch if you’re interested in new space developments. It is also highly likely that smaller rockets will play a large part in future space exploration.
Final Call: What interests you about space travel? Are you interested in going to space yourself? What space tech developments do you find the most fascinating? Let us know in the comments!
