Spaceport America and C6 Launch Systems Sign Agreement
LAS CRUCES, NM (Spaceport America PR) — Spaceport America signed an agreement with Canadian Corporation C6 Launch Systems to provide services, resources, and access to the vertical launch sites facilities for testing operations and activities.
C6 Launch Systems (www.c6launch.ca) plans to begin work at Spaceport America in January 2021. Over a six-week period, the Canadian rocket company will install a new vertical test stand and conduct system integration tests including several engine firings at Spaceport America. These tests will validate the avionics, engine control, ground control and communications subsystems.
“C6 Launch is a young, innovative company, part of the new frontier of commercial space developments, and a perfect fit for our site,” Scott McLaughlin, Spaceport America’s Interim Executive Director said, “We are glad to play an important role in their growth, and hope to be a partner for many years to come.”
C6 builds rockets designed to launch small satellites. Its launch vehicle is purpose-built for a high-cadence, low-cost orbital launch program. Elementary tank architecture, pressurization, and propellant management systems simplify manufacturing and launch operations. Its time-tested engine provides a path to reliable flight performance.
“Spaceport America has been great to work with over the past few months” said Richard McCammon, President of C6 Launch Systems. ”I am truly excited about our new partnership. This integration test is a major milestone for us as we continue to develop our launch vehicle.”
Spaceport America (https://www.spaceportamerica.com) is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. The FAA-licensed launch complex, situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico, has a rocket friendly environment of 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace, low population density, a 12,000-foot by 200-foot runway, vertical launch complexes, and about 340 days of sunshine and low humidity.
Some of the most respected companies in the commercial space industry are tenants at Spaceport America: Virgin Galactic, HAPSMobile/ AeroVironment, UP Aerospace, and SpinLaunch. Other customers include Boeing, EXOS Aerospace and Sugarhouse Aerospace.
One response to “Spaceport America and C6 Launch Systems Sign Agreement”
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The chances of this Canadian small-launch company succeeding doesn’t seem very high. They are doing business in pretty much the most expensive way possible, subcontracting major parts of their operations to other companies. They are renting a launch site in the Shetland Islands in the UK, renting a test facility at Spaceport America in New Mexico, and are buying the engines for their rocket from Ursa Major Technologies.
This in comparison to Rocket Lab, which is tightly vertically-integrated to limit their costs as much as possible– They own their test facilities and launch sites, and make their own engines.
Paraphrasing Peter Beck, I don’t see how this Canadian company can close their business case. 😛