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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAs previously reported by C4ISRNET,<\/a> the introduction (and certification) of the Falcon Heavy to the space launch market will create more competition for government contracts, which would likely result in lower costs for Department of Defense and the intelligence community to place satellites into orbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking to C4ISRNET, Sean O\u2019Keefe, former administrator of NASA, contextualized SpaceX\u2019s \u201ctremendous achievement\u201d for the large satellite payload market segment, particularly for big government programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo the extent we see a continuing progress on the path SpaceX is on, and other commercial firms, there is a number of options to be pursued rather than focusing on a monopoly,\u201d O\u2019Keefe said. \u201cCompetition is a good thing. It motivates innovation and is a catalyst for approaches that might not otherwise be explored… The novelty of what has been created or opened here is an opportunity. What SpaceX has generated is the capacity to get into a market space that is very limited, but at the same time requires an enormous capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But according to one space policy expert, the second largest rocket ever created is not well poised to remedy the space launch industry\u2019s most immediate need: the ability to inexpensively deliver many small satellites into low Earth orbit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Currently, smaller satellite payloads piggyback on launch vehicles delivering larger payloads. But with small satellite companies like OneWeb, which plans to launch 900 commercial satellites<\/a> into LEO, and other industry players like SpaceX, who plan to place up to 4,000 satellites<\/a> into LEO, it is possible that the demand for dedicated small launch vehicles will outpace the supply of providers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n