Japan Wants to Compete For Global Commercial Launches With New Rocket
JAXA Selects Mitsubishi to Build New Flagship Launch Vehicle, SpaceRef Business
“JAXA has selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to build a new flagship launch vehicle to replace the current H-IIA and H-IIB launch vehicles and intends to compete for international commercial contracts.
The new rocket is expected to come into service in 2020 and JAXA stated that they plan on cutting launch costs by half to try and compete directly with Arianespace, SpaceX and other commercial launch providers.”
A new Japanese launcher to cut costs by half? So their current offerings are only twice as expensive as SpaceX? I think someone has to get out their abacus here to check those numbers.
Frankly, I think it’s great. More competition is a good thing and if we have to go to a foreign launch provider for whatever reason, it’s good that it is an ally.
Good luck JAXA, you’ll need it. Ten bucks says that Long March 5/6 will get commercial launches before you do.
May the odds be ever in your favor, JAXA.
Bring on the Gunvarrel!
All these government and semi-government launch companies seem to be aiming at today’s prices as their cost caps. They don’t seem to get it that SpaceX costs must be less than that as they have consistently stated that they are profitable and have been for the last half dozen or so years. What they are also missing is that SpaceX isn’t standing still. They’re continuing to refine and streamline their operations and associated costs not to mention their reusable targets.
By the time say AS or JAXA or the Chinese get their new vehicles flying, it’s more than likely that SpaceX will have decreased costs yet again.
Elon wants it below $1000 /lb to orbit and both Elon and Gwynne have revised that to a target of $7 million to leo.
Notice also, ULA isn’t even attempting to compete.
What they ought to be doing is dusting off plans for Kanokh Maru and reviving RVT program
How will they get past all the launch restrictions (fishing offshore, etc.) in order to have enough launches per year to make it economical?
How much does the fishing stuff affect things? I have heard this a couple times but other than that don’t know much.
I think nowadays one trying to create new rocket should consider at least partial reusability. Otherwise rocket will be already obsolete and useless at arrival (R&D of new rocket can take decade or more).