UK Launch
The business case for launching
small satellites from the UK
Dr. Adam Baker
Access to space

Underpins the modern space industry.

Since 1971 :UK reliant on other nations
to deliver its spacecraft into orbit;
increasingly unaffordable and risky.

Can we meet our (IGS) growth targets
without investing in a launch
infrastructure?
Space-CITI
The Solution – Infrastructure
Imported
technology &
systems
Infrastructure
Spaceport UK
Small Satellite
Launcher
UK could lead this
element
3
Sub-orbital Space
Access
Large
Reusable
Launcher
Potential business
Subject to finding a suitable site, a UK spaceport has the potential to
become a viable business.
London Economics business model:
•
£577-585M operating profit over 25 yrs
•
Capital expenditure £235-240M + cost of
capital
•
Profit after tax £110-120M
Conventional launch:
Substantial spin off benefits
ultimately leading to new
downstream applications
Small satellite launch



Regular “bus service” delivering 100kg into polar orbit for £3M
 Complete missions for £5-10M
Development: as little as £20M (+ GSE + interest)
No new technology – UK know how, supply chain, & facilities
Business model: cashflow
120
120
Cash
in £M Ground support costs covered
Cash
in £M
100
100
80
60
40
40
20
20
0
0
-20
Years
Years
00
22
44
66
88
10
10
12
12
14
14
-20
-40
-40
-60
-60
-80
-80
6 Launches pa sold at £4M each – optimistic
4 launches p.a. Sold, £3M each - realistic
16
16
Business case Summary
Spaceport is commercially viable
 Small satellite launch service a well quantified
element (RoI)
 Will cost at least £20M, potential to go cash
neutral in min 8 years

-
-
-
Market stimulation needed to strengthen business
case
Public investment in spaceport infrastructure highly
desirable
High thrust propulsion is a key element