[AMSAT-BB] Re: firefly rocket #1

On 09/05/2021 17:07, Robert Coppock wrote:

i need to aask why they would put all that payload on an untested first time rocket ? were the customers (free apparently) aware of the fact that it was rocket #1 ? what was the urgency ?

Of course everyone knew it was a first launch attempt for a new rocket.  You hit the nail on the head - the price.  These days, getting a satellite built is comparatively easy.  Getting it launched is the hard AND EXPENSIVE part.  Over the years, quite a few amateur satellites have been launched on rockets that were still pre-production - and a few have been lost.  You take your chances on a free or very inexpensive launch.