Launch service provider
A launch service provider (LSP) is a type of company which specialises in launching spacecraft. It is responsible for the ordering, conversion or construction of the carrier rocket, assembly and stacking, payload integration, and ultimately conducting the launch itself. Some of these tasks may be delegated or sub-contracted to other companies. For example, United Launch Alliance has formally subcontracted the production of GEM solid rocket motors for their Delta II and Delta IV (Medium version) rockets to Alliant Techsystems, both vehicles are now retired.[1][2] An LSP does not necessarily build all the rockets it launches.
In some cases, an LSP is not required to launch a rocket. Government organizations such as the military and defense forces may conduct the launch themselves.
List of active launch service providers
- Antrix Corporation (PSLV / GSLV / LVM3)
- Arianespace (Ariane 5 / Soyuz-2 / Vega)
- China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (Long March)
- Eurockot Launch Services (Rockot)
- International Launch Services (Proton-M, Proton Medium, Proton Light, Angara 1.2)
- ISC Kosmotras (Dnepr)
- Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (H-IIA / H-IIB)
- Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (Antares / Minotaur / Pegasus)
- Rocket Lab (Electron)
- Sea Launch (Zenit-3SL)
- SpaceX (Falcon 9 / Falcon Heavy)
- Spaceflight Industries
- Starsem (Soyuz-FG / Soyuz-2)
- United Launch Alliance (Atlas V / Delta IV Heavy)
References
- "2016 OA Motor Catalog" (PDF). OrbitalATK.com. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
- Clark, Stephen. "Engineers say goodbye to society-changing Delta 2 rocket – Spaceflight Now". Retrieved 2020-06-01.