SpaceX (SPCX.US) Halts Sales of Falcon 9 "Rideshare" Missions, Rocket Supply Shortage Sparks Space Industry Buying Spree

SpaceX (SPCX.US), the company led by Elon Musk, has stopped selling "rideshare" launch missions in which multiple companies share the capacity of a single Falcon 9 rocket, according to people familiar with the matter. Some companies have been unable to secure Falcon 9 launch opportunities beyond 2028, the people said. As SpaceX gradually reduces its use of the Falcon 9 while competitors struggle to expand rocket production capacity, parties are scrambling to lock in launch slots. The tight rocket supply is triggering a buying spree across the space industry. Companies are seeking new ways to deploy satellites and spacecraft, while many rockets under development are falling behind schedule. Some company executives are adopting costly strategies to secure launch opportunities, such as developing their own rockets or considering acquiring a rocket company. Meanwhile, prices for many launch missions are rising. Behind this situation is sustained growth in demand for satellite and spacecraft launches, while capacity expansion and development progress for new rockets have failed to keep pace, leading to a tightening of short-term launch capacity. For satellite operators, fewer launch opportunities not only mean higher launch costs but may also increase the risk of delays to satellite deployment plans.