Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
SpaceX Launches Bandwagon-3 Rideshare Mission
CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – SpaceX successfully launched its third Bandwagon mission, a dedicated rideshare service to mid-inclination orbits, on April 21. However, this mission, designated Bandwagon-3, carried a significantly reduced number of payloads compared to its predecessors.
Falcon 9 Mission Details and Booster Landing
A Falcon 9 rocket ascended from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 8:48 p.m. Eastern time for the Bandwagon-3 mission. The first-stage booster, undertaking its third flight, returned to Cape Canaveral, executing a landing on a designated pad adjacent to the landing site of the booster from the SpX-32 cargo resupply mission earlier in the day.
Bandwagon Mission Series for Mid-Inclination Orbits
Bandwagon-3 marked the third in SpaceX’s series of specialized rideshare missions targeting mid-inclination orbits. This followed Bandwagon-1 in April 2024 and Bandwagon-2 in December 2024. SpaceX introduced the Bandwagon program in 2023, recognizing substantial demand for mid-inclination orbits, second only to sun-synchronous orbits served by their Transporter series.
Reduced Payload Manifest on Bandwagon-3
In contrast to previous Bandwagon missions, Bandwagon-3 transported only three payloads:
- The 425Sat-3 spacecraft for the South Korean military
- Tomorrow-S7 for weather forecasting firm Tomorrow.io
- Phoenix, the inaugural reentry vehicle from ATMOS Space Cargo, a German startup
Bandwagon-1 previously deployed 11 satellites, while Bandwagon-2 launched with 30 satellites.
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
Factors Behind Lower Payload Count
SpaceX has not publicly commented on the reduced number of payloads for this mission. However, industry experts suggest that the relatively limited market demand for mid-inclination orbits and the mission’s scheduling proximity to Bandwagon-2, occurring just four months prior, likely contributed to the decreased rideshare payload capacity.
Project 425 and Bandwagon’s Strategic Importance
While presented as addressing demand for mid-inclination launches, the Bandwagon missions are also intrinsically linked to a multi-launch agreement between SpaceX and the South Korean military. This contract aims to deploy five reconnaissance satellites under Project 425. Each Bandwagon mission, including prior launches, has incorporated Project 425 satellites.
Future of the Bandwagon Program
Upon announcing the Bandwagon initiative, SpaceX indicated plans for at least four launches, with two slated for 2024 and two for 2025. The anticipated fourth Bandwagon mission later this year is expected to carry the final Project 425 satellite. SpaceX has not disclosed any plans for Bandwagon missions beyond the fourth launch, and their rideshare service website currently does not list any upcoming missions to mid-inclination orbits.
Small Launch Vehicle Market Perspective
SpaceX’s rideshare program has faced criticism from some within the launch sector. Concerns have been raised that these missions undercut the market for small launch vehicles by offering significantly lower launch costs than dedicated small launchers. However, Rocket Lab, a leading Western provider in the small launch vehicle market with its Electron rocket, disputes this assertion.
Rocket Lab CEO on Dedicated vs. Rideshare Launches
Peter Beck, Chief Executive of Rocket Lab, stated in a recent interview, “Dedicated small launch is a distinct market, and it is fundamentally different from rideshare.” He elaborated that while customers might utilize rideshare options for initial satellite deployments, they often transition to dedicated providers like Rocket Lab for deploying operational constellations. This shift is driven by the greater control over orbital parameters and launch schedules afforded by dedicated launches. Beck noted, “Many customers initially fly on a Transporter [SpaceX rideshare], and subsequently return to book their complete constellation deployment with us.”