Top Questions to Ask a Launch Service Provider Before Booking Your Launch
1. How Much Experience Do You Have?
It’s critical to investigate how many launches and how many spacecraft your launch provider has overseen. After nearly a decade of launching, we know how important it is to have institutional knowledge behind our customers’ missions. As no two missions are the same, every single one brings new challenges and thus new solutions. Our team has a combined total of more than 100 years of engineering expertise, and has solved every challenge that has come our way for USG, Commercial, universities, and international customers with varying requirements. We’re proud to have a 100% mission success rate. We’ve done more than 16 rideshare missions, including ISS rendezvous missions and deployed 53 satellites from SEOPS hardware.
2. How Flexible Are You With Launch Dates?
If you book a launch with a provider and circumstances change, whether in vehicle readiness or funding milestones, it can bring your mission to a standstill. Rebooking fees and limited launch options can follow. Ask your launch provider if they are able to build flexibility into your launch plan, and allow for moving launch windows without excessive fees or troubles. The need for flexibility is what inspired us to offer the LaunchLock program. To find out more about our LaunchLock program, read more here.
3. What’s Included in the Price?
It’s difficult to compare apples to apples with launch service providers especially when it comes to evaluating costs. Getting to the bottom line cost can sometimes be a chore. Lowball launch estimates usually hide costs and fees that will be tacked on later. At SEOPS, we don’t believe in nickel and diming our customers and surprising them with hidden costs. We provide end-to-end services from early mission design and launch window / vehicle selection to day-to-day mission management, licensing, security, launch and early operations. If you book with us, we’re with you every step of the way, and we won’t spring on additional charges later.
4. How Early in the Process Does Your Integration Team Get Involved?
The adage “measure twice, cut once” is applicable to launching a spacecraft. Solid early work saves time and money later. Having early access to an integration team can help with design choices and deployer selections that will save costs later on, such as applying for expensive waivers or doing additional testing – or even making custom adapters that wouldn’t be necessary with proper upfront planning. We are a true partner in our customers’ missions right from the beginning and we will eliminate obstacles to launch for them, not just help them navigate them. By signing up for our LaunchLock program, you’ll have early access to our engineering team, up to 3 years before launch, and can help solve issues in the design phase before they cause expensive mitigation costs later.
5. Are There Mandates to Use Specific Separation Systems?
Many launch providers are wedded to their own choice of separation system and will require that your spacecraft work with their hardware. This can be problematic for certain spacecraft designs and often costs additional money to make it work. Part of our commitment to flexibility is being agnostic to the deployer and separation system. We will help you pick the right hardware for your needs, not ours.
6. How Do You Help International Clients Navigate U.S. Launch and Regulatory Requirements?
SEOPS’s commitment goes beyond business; we build strong, trust-based partnerships with each client. For international customers, this means offering dedicated, relationship-focused service that prioritizes their mission’s success. We proactively provide updates on U.S. regulations and launch provider requirements, ensuring that clients receive personalized, consistent guidance throughout their journey. This approach stems from our belief in partnership and genuine commitment, treating each client as an integral part of the SEOPS family to navigate challenges and ensure a seamless path to launch.
These are just a few of the questions customers should ask when choosing a launch services provider as they play a critical part in your mission’s success. We’re looking forward to answering these questions, and any others you might have. Simply send us an email at [email protected] and let’s get the conversation started.
