The 2017-2018 period represented a pivotal turning point in orbital rocketry, characterized by intense competition and rapid innovation. During these two years, the landscape shifted dramatically as new players entered the arena while established agencies refined their long-term strategies. This era was defined by the pursuit of reusability, the quest for larger payload capacities, and the drive to reduce the cost of accessing space. The developments witnessed between 2017 and 2018 laid the groundwork for the modern commercial launch industry, influencing mission planning and vehicle design for years to come.
The Vanguard of Reusability
SpaceX dominated the headlines throughout 2017-2018, with its Falcon 9 rocket becoming the undisputed leader in reusability. The company focused on refining its ability to land the first stage of its Falcon 9 booster back on Earth, either on a drone ship or a landing pad. By 2017, SpaceX had successfully landed multiple boosters, and the practice became routine by 2018. This achievement was not merely a technical stunt; it was a core business strategy aimed at drastically reducing the cost of spaceflight by recovering and refurbishing expensive hardware instead of discarding it after a single use.
Competitors Respond to the Reusable Revolution
The success of SpaceX forced competitors to accelerate their own reusability programs or risk losing market share. While SpaceX was making landings look routine, other entities were just beginning their journeys. Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, continued its methodical approach to developing a fully reusable suborbital system, with its New Shepard vehicle conducting successful test flights. Meanwhile, legacy aerospace firms like United Launch Alliance (ULA) moved forward with the Vulcan Centaur program, designed from the outset to incorporate reusability features, signaling a broader industry acceptance of the concept.
Heavy Lift and Deep Space Ambitions
While reusability was the buzzword of the mid-2010s, the need for raw power to send larger payloads to deep space never diminished. NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) made significant progress during this window, with the core stage of the rocket undergoing critical testing phases. The uncrewed Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1), which would eventually send an Orion capsule around the moon, was a primary focus. This period represented the final preparations for the most powerful rocket in the world, albeit one that faced delays and rising costs.
Global Players Enter the Heavyweight Class
It wasn't just NASA pushing the boundaries of heavy lift. China intensified its efforts to expand its footprint in space, with the country conducting numerous launches using its Long March rocket family. The Long March 5, China’s largest and most powerful rocket, made its debut in 2016 and continued its test flights during 2017-2018. These missions were critical for the nation’s ambitions to land rovers on the far side of the moon and eventually send astronauts to orbit, showcasing a rapid ascent in global aerospace capability.
Reliability and the Competitive Market
Beyond the flashy headlines of reusability and heavy payloads, the commercial launch market in 2017-2018 was defined by reliability and frequency. SpaceX maintained a busy schedule, launching satellites for commercial clients and conducting resupply missions to the International Space Station with proven efficiency. Rocket Lab, a New Zealand-based company, emerged as a significant disruptor with its Electron rocket, focusing on the smallsat launch niche. Its innovative Rutherford engine and streamlined operations challenged the traditional satellite deployment model, carving out a new segment of the industry.
