SpaceX Falcon 9 Almost Only Rocket for AST Space Mobile, Amazon LEO and Space Force
SpaceX's Falcon 9 is becoming the primary launch vehicle for several major satellite constellations due to issues with other rockets, including Blue Origin's New Glenn and ULA's Vulcan. Amazon's LEO satellite project, AST Space Mobile, and the US Space Force are increasingly reliant on SpaceX's launch capabilities.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 is poised to become the go-to launch vehicle for several major satellite constellations. Issues with Blue Origin's New Glenn and ULA's Vulcan have grounded these rockets, leaving SpaceX as the primary option. Amazon's LEO satellite project requires 10-15 Falcon 9 launches per year, while AST Space Mobile needs 10-20 launches annually. The US Space Force is also shifting 70 backlogged launches to SpaceX. With 150-160 launches already committed, SpaceX faces the challenge of surging to meet the added demand. Amazon has launched about 240 of its planned 3200 LEO satellites and is buying Globalstar for $11.7 billion to expand its direct-to-cellphone spectrum capabilities. The company's satellite service is expected to launch in 2028, but its success is heavily dependent on SpaceX's launch capacity.
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