NASA’s Launch Services Program works directly with the commercial launch service providers.
The program begins the nearly three-year process of designing, building and testing the mission
unique aspects of the rocket that will ultimately deliver the spacecraft to its designated orbit.
Akash Vangani Certification Manager
“We first look at our customers’ requirements.
We want to make sure that their risk posture is suitable for one of our launch vehicles.
We want to make sure that all of their requirements are accounted for when we go and select a
launch vehicle.”
Well before each mission, the detailed requirements of each launch vehicle must be defined and
developed by the Launch Services Program for each customer.
Shaqueena Lewis Contracting Officer Representative
“When customers come to us, typically it’s early in the process.
And because we’ve launched so many missions, we have a lot of historical data that we use
to estimate how much a launch service is going to cost.
We also have a lot of tools in the business office that we use to help us in that process
as well.”
Preparing for a launch well in advance helps LSP ensure that the right launch vehicle has
been selected for each customer with the goal of a successful launch and mission.