For years, small satellite manufacturers have built their business plans around the idea that SpaceX could launch their payload to space. Through its Falcon 9 Transporter and Bandwagon rideshare missions, SpaceX offered frequent, reliable and inexpensive transportation to sun-synchronous and mid-inclination orbits.
But now worry is setting in.
At least nine SpaceX partners and customers tell SpaceNews that SpaceX is not accepting Transporter reservations beyond late 2028 or early 2029, and the manifest for the next couple of years is nearly full. Some customers said they expect that SpaceX will extend Falcon 9 rideshares if its super heavy-lift Starship rocket does not come online as quickly as company leaders anticipate.
But the lack of spots — potentially as few as half as many as in recent years — has left satellite companies scrambling to find a way to space.
SpaceX did not respond to questions about the future of its rideshare flights.
