GoKawiilAvio sees demand surge as SpaceX pauses new Falcon 9 bookings
Italian launch provider Avio says it is fielding a wave of new customer inquiries after SpaceX told several prospective clients it would not accept new commercial Falcon 9 orders. Avio CEO Giulio Ranzo said some of these spurned customers lobbied European institutions at the International Space Summit in Paris for subsidies to offset the higher cost of flying on Europe's Vega C, which reportedly runs about $60 million per launch.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
SpaceX's dominance has left few alternatives for satellite operators, giving European providers unexpected leverage but also exposing how costly and limited Europe's own launch options remain. Subsidizing an expendable rocket like Vega C could ease short-term access problems but risks locking Europe into pricier, less competitive technology instead of pushing for reusable systems.
- SpaceX has reportedly stopped accepting new commercial Falcon 9 launch orders for some customers.
- Avio is capturing displaced demand and customers are pushing the EU for launch subsidies.
- Analysts argue subsidizing expendable rockets like Vega C is less useful than investing in cheaper, reusable alternatives.
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Published there as: “Rocket Report: China wants a Raptor 3 engine; SpaceX set for big Starship test”
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