Market slowdown: low-cost space launch vehicles await liftoff.

• Author: Wagner, Breanne
• Position: Space Technology

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- A new generation of small rockets may fulfill the Air Force's goat of creating a market for low-cost launch. But after many fits and starts, the service and the launch industry realize that several roadblocks still stand in the way of success.

The Air Force has for more than 20 years been searching for ways to significantly cut the cost of launching satellites into space. The goal is to bring the cost down from several hundred million dollars to single-digit millions.

There was much excitement in the 1990s when three small rockets--the Pegasus, Taurus and Minotaur--were introduced. But infrequent launches squashed the chances for a low-cost launch market to develop.

Col. Jim Nugent, deputy division chief for responsive space at Air Force Space Command, says that the traditionally high cost of launch has led the Air Force to focus on "very capable and high density" satellites that are more expensive and longer-lived. These payloads don't require frequent launches.

The Air Force is now looking to reinvigorate a market for low-cost launch, this time as part of a concept called operationally responsive space, or ORS.

Through ORS, the Air Force wants the ability to quickly launch satellites into orbit to replace old ones or to fill urgent military or intelligence needs.

"We continue to encourage small launch vehicles ... the goal is to move that way," Nugent says at the Space Foundation's national space symposium here.

Several companies have eagerly entered into the business, hoping to find a viable solution for the Air Force's requirements. But as some have discovered, it has been far more complicated than first envisioned.

One company, Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, has learned from early mistakes. Founded by entrepreneur Elon Musk, SpaceX has so far attempted two test launches with its Falcon 1 small booster, but has been unable to reach orbit. Both tests were conducted as part of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program also called Falcon, which was created to find a vehicle that could deliver a 1,000-pound payload into low-earth orbit for under $5 million. SpaceX has also developed the Falcon 5 and Falcon 9 for medium and heavy lift missions, but is best known for its foray into the small launch business.

[ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Company officials admit they may have gotten ahead of themselves while trying to quickly launch their rocket.

Gywnne Shotwell, vice president of SpaceX business...