Posted: Tue, Nov 22, 2005, 9:27 PM ET (0227 GMT)
SpaceDev announced Tuesday that it has ordered a Falcon 1 launch from SpaceDev for a microsatellite payload, even as the company develops its own small launcher. SpaceDev said it ordered the launch in May 2008 for "multiple primary microsatellite payloads and multiple secondary nanosatellite payloads" to be built by SpaceDev and/or other manufacturers. SpaceDev indicated it would provide space on the launch for smallsat manufacturers, reducing risk for those companies. SpaceDev last week announced that it had won a contract from the Air Force to develop hybrid rocket motor technology that the company plans to use for a future family of small launch vehicles.
