A lack of rockets is creating a crisis for space technology companies — SkimNews
Get the Health newsletter
Daily health & science — research, biotech, public health, the studies worth knowing. Free.
- SpaceX is reportedly no longer accepting Falcon 9 launch bookings beyond 2028 as it transitions to Starship, removing a primary launch option for commercial and government payloads.
- Satellite operators face launch lead times of 30 to 36 months—up from 12 months in 2024—due to dwindling rocket availability, severely impacting startup planning and funding cycles.
- Starship, which reached orbit on 28 September, may not support non-Starlink satellites effectively because its design prioritizes flat satellites deployed through a side slot, limiting ride-share flexibility.
- Russian rockets previously handled about 20% of global launch capacity before the Ukraine war, but sanctions have eliminated their role in commercial launches, deepening the supply crunch.
- Rocket Lab launched 18 Electron rockets in 2025 but has yet to fly its larger Neutron rocket, while Blue Origin’s New Glenn remains grounded after a May explosion, delaying competitive alternatives.
- US regulations bar most European and all US-built satellites from launching on Chinese rockets, even if only containing minor American components, restricting access to growing commercial Chinese launch capacity.
Why it matters: With Falcon 9 exiting and Starship’s availability uncertain, companies relying on timely, affordable access to space—especially startups—face existential delays. The lack of immediate competitors means launch prices could rise and innovation slow, reshaping who can participate in the orbital economy.
Ask SkimNews
