// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Rideshare
Rideshare refers to a launch model where multiple smaller satellites from different customers share a single rocket to get into space, making it more affordable.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Rideshare is a launch strategy where multiple small satellites from various customers are integrated onto a single launch vehicle, sharing the cost and providing a more economical and frequent access-to-space solution, often to a primary payload's target orbit.
BACKGROUND
A ridesharing company is a company that, via websites and mobile apps, matches passengers with drivers of vehicles for hire that, unlike traditional taxis, cannot legally be hailed from the street. In most cases, the company sets fares, which may vary using a dynamic pricing model based on local supply and demand at the time of the booking and are quoted to the customer in advance, and receives a commission from each booking. Some ridesharing companies provide services in robotaxis.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Multi-payload Launch
- Shared Launch
- Co-manifested Launch
- Secondary Payload
USAGE NOTE
Rideshare missions are popular for smallsat operators looking for cost-effective access to orbit.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Rideshare.
Operates the Smallsat Rideshare Program, which provides regularly scheduled, dedicated Falcon 9 missions for small satellites. They have standardized payload interfaces and offer missions to various orbits at competitive prices, significantly increasing access to space for small satellite operators.
Offers rideshare launch opportunities on its Electron rocket and is developing the larger Neutron rocket. Rocket Lab also manufactures the Photon spacecraft bus, which acts as an orbital transfer vehicle to deliver rideshare payloads to precise, custom orbits after the primary launch.
A rideshare integrator and mission management provider. They develop and manufacture their own payload separation systems (CarboNIX) and multi-port adapters to accommodate dozens of small satellites on a single launch vehicle, primarily working with providers like SpaceX and Arianespace.
The European launch provider offers rideshare services through its Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) on the Vega and Vega-C rockets. The SSMS is a modular dispenser designed to accommodate a wide range of small satellite sizes for deployment into orbit on a single mission.
Specializes in 'last-mile' logistics for rideshare missions. They develop and operate the ION Satellite Carrier, an orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) that hosts multiple satellites launched on a large rocket and then transports them to their individual, precise orbital destinations.
Provides dedicated and rideshare launch services with its Alpha rocket. They are also developing the Space Utility Vehicle (SUV), an orbital transfer vehicle designed to deploy rideshare payloads to various orbits and provide other in-space services.
A German launch service company developing the 'Spectrum' launch vehicle. The rocket is designed specifically to offer flexible and cost-effective launch solutions for satellite constellations and rideshare missions for the small and medium satellite market.
Develops and operates orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs), such as the Vigoride, that provide in-space transportation and infrastructure services. Their vehicles are launched on rideshare missions and then use their own propulsion systems to deliver customer satellites to custom orbits.