Re:Why Tesla is having a harder time than SpaceX
by walls on Saturday April 14, 2018 @11:14AM
(#16837645)
If you launched with a second satellite on the Falcon 9, wouldn't it only be 30 million? Seems weird to compare launching multiple payloads with launching one.
Re:Why Tesla is having a harder time than SpaceX
by greglindahl on Saturday April 14, 2018 @01:18PM
(#16838270)
SpaceX has launched a pair of comsats twice, it was organized by Boeing. However, Boeing hasn't succeeded in selling any more of these pairs. Arianespace has had a lot more success in convincing customers to fit into the upper berth/lower berth size/mass limits.
Re:Why Tesla is having a harder time than SpaceX
by dmoy on Saturday April 14, 2018 @12:01PM
(#16837873)
It is a bit disingenuous to neglect to mention that a5'd lower bay payload is half the size of a f9 payload.
Re:Why Tesla is having a harder time than SpaceX
by greglindahl on Saturday April 14, 2018 @01:16PM
(#16838264)
The PRICE of the lower bay on Ariane 5 is around $60mm, because of SpaceX. That's not a signal that Arianespace is doing great competing with SpaceX, it's a sign that Arianespace had to lower their price to compete.
The cost of a launch on Falcon 9 is 62 million USD.
That's not 20 million less, that's 2 million more — ofc, finding a second satellite to launch with is with Ariane more time consuming, so you'll not be as agile.
And if SpaceX cuts the cost of a non-reusable launch (previously 62mm) by 50mm, to 12mm, that'd be a breakthrough. If you meant to say that they cut the cost of reusable launches (previously 30mm) by 500mm (aka paying people for launching), then lol.