Introduction:
Gwen Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, delivered a keynote address at the SmallSat Conference. She discussed the company’s progress since her last appearance eight years ago, emphasizing the importance of full and complete reuse of launch vehicles.

Background:
Shotwell has a strong engineering background, earning a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mathematics from Northwestern University. She worked at the Aerospace Corporation for 10 years before joining SpaceX in its founding year.

SpaceX’s Achievements:
Shotwell played a key role in building the Falcon vehicle family manifest to more than 70 launches, representing over $10 billion in business. She has been recognized for her achievements, receiving awards such as the World Technology Award for Individual Achievement in Space.

Focus on Recoverability:
Shotwell believes that recoverability is the single largest contribution SpaceX can make to the launch industry and access to space. She highlighted the company’s successful landings of the Falcon 9 first stage and the development of the reusable Starship.

Benefits of Recoverability:
Recoverability significantly reduces launch costs, making space access more affordable and enabling a wider range of missions. It also increases launch cadence, allowing for more frequent satellite deployments and supporting the growing demand for satellite services.

Conclusion:
Shotwell emphasized the importance of continued innovation and collaboration in the launch industry. She expressed her excitement about the future of space exploration and the role that SpaceX can play in enabling new possibilities.

Small Satellite Industry Growth:
In the past decade, over 900 small satellites were launched. Over 3600 satellites are projected to be launched in the coming decade. The growth of constellations could multiply this number by a factor of three or four.

Financial Picture:
In the last decade, $13 billion was spent on financing and venture capital for small satellites. Last year, $2.4 billion was invested, and this year, it is expected to reach $2.6 billion. Over the next decade, an estimated $22 billion will flow into the small satellite industry.

Launch Solutions:
Many organizations are developing small satellite launchers. Existing satellite launch companies are considering hosting small satellites to improve access to space. Price point is key for the small satellite community, as the Falcon 1 business model was not successful.

SpaceX’s Commitment to Small Satellite Community:
SpaceX has flown dozens of small satellites and will continue to launch many more. The company has a new agreement with Spaceflight for four additional flights over the next four to five years, providing regular access to various orbits. SpaceX appreciates working with aggregators of small satellite missions.

SpaceX’s Success and Challenges:
SpaceX has successfully reached stations eight times. The company experienced a failure last June, which was a difficult setback. SpaceX continues to learn and improve from its experiences.

Return to Flight After Failure:
SpaceX’s first and only Falcon 9 failure occurred on Elon Musk’s birthday. The Oracle mission marked their return flight after this failure.

Upgraded Rocket:
Falcon 9 was upgraded with more powerful engines, stretched tanks, and densified propellants. These upgrades allowed for a 30% propellant residual, enabling first stage recovery.

14.5 Years of Development:
SpaceX worked for 14.5 years before successfully recovering a rocket stage.

Continued Progress:
SpaceX has made significant progress in reusability since 2010. Small satellite aggregators like Spaceflight have provided rideshare opportunities.

Benefits of Reusability:
RecoveryBank provides cost savings, making rocket launches more affordable. Aiming to extend reusability to the second stage in the future.

Conclusion:
SpaceX’s focus on reusability is driven by the goal of reducing launch costs. The company is committed to pushing the boundaries of rocket technology.

Spaceflight Ubiquity:
Making space flight ubiquitous is a critical goal for SpaceX. Frequent space travel could make space launch routine and less exciting over time. Recoverability is crucial for enabling multiple trips to Mars and beyond.

Landing on a Drone Ship:
SpaceX’s first attempt to land a rocket on a drone ship resulted in a failure, but it provided valuable learning opportunities. The impact of the rocket on the drone ship was significant, but the ship sustained minimal damage. The successful landing marked a milestone in SpaceX’s journey towards reusable spacecraft.

Perspective from the Rocket:
A GoPro camera mounted on the rocket’s first stage captured the landing from the rocket’s perspective. The video shows the rocket’s descent and the moment of impact with the drone ship. These videos provide a unique perspective on the challenges of landing a rocket.

Testing the Recovered Booster:
SpaceX conducted extensive testing on the booster that experienced the most damage during reentry. The booster was placed on a test stand in Central Texas for various tests. The goal is to run multiple tests before reflying the booster.

Reflying Previously Flown Hardware:
SpaceX has received interest in reflying previously flown hardware. The company plans to fly two of these reflown boosters this year. This milestone represents a significant step towards the reusability of spacecraft.

SCP-2 Mission:
SCP-2 is an extraordinary mission to launch over 30 satellites, including DSX, cosmic satellites, auxiliary satellites, PPOS, and ESPA rings. The mission will have three separate orbital destinations for the satellites. It is expected to take place in Q3 of 2017.

Falcon Heavy’s Extra Capacity:
Falcon Heavy has extra capacity that can accommodate many ESPA or ESPA-like rings underneath the primary payload. This provides regular access for small satellite companies to fly their payloads. The small satellite community suffers not only from price issues but also from a lack of opportunities. Falcon Heavy aims to alleviate this by providing more opportunities for small satellite launches.

Falcon Heavy’s Recovery Process:
The animation shown demonstrates the stages of Falcon Heavy’s recovery process. It includes a flip maneuver, a fly back to the launch site, a re-entry burn, and a landing burn. The team working on this recovery process deserves credit for their extraordinary work.

Launch Site Developments:
Falcon Heavy requires more launch sites to accommodate its launch schedule. Pad 39A is being built for Falcon Heavy and crew launches, along with single-stick Falcon 9s. Launch Complex 40 has been busy and will become busier at the end of the year. A commercial pad in South Texas is being constructed for GTO flights of Falcon Heavy and single-stakes.

Landing Pads and Recovery:
Multiple landing pads are necessary to support the recovery of Falcon Heavy boosters. Sending the Navy for booster recovery is a significant undertaking.

Red Dragon Mission:
SpaceX is working on a program called Red Dragon to provide access to destinations beyond low Earth orbit and GTO, including the Moon and Mars. Red Dragon will have space in the trunk to deploy small satellites en route to Mars, as well as capacity in the Dragon capsule to land on the surface.

Increased Access to Mars and the Moon:
Gwynne Shotwell believes that missions like Red Dragon will make Mars and the Moon more accessible for the small satellite community. She encourages small satellite companies to think about the possibilities and challenges of sending satellites to these destinations.

Importance of Hands-on Experience:
Shotwell emphasizes the importance of hands-on experience in space technology, especially for undergraduate students. She encourages students to work on projects like small satellites and cubesats to gain practical knowledge and apply the principles they learn in the classroom.

SpaceX’s Plans for Mars:
SpaceX is focused on Mars and aims to facilitate transportation and establish settlements on the planet. Shotwell acknowledges that talking about Mars exploration was once considered crazy, but the conversation has shifted in recent years.

Raptor Engine Development:
SpaceX is developing the Raptor engine, which will use a LOX methane system for the Mars rocket. The first Raptor engine has been shipped to Texas for testing.

SpaceX’s Small Satellite Program:
SpaceX is working on small satellite technologies, primarily focused on developing a broadband global internet system. The team is working on satellite componentry and payload systems to facilitate this network.

First Stage Recovery and Reusability:
The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket returns from flights in good condition, despite the heat and stress it experiences during re-entry. The engines are reusable and have been fired multiple times without major refurbishment. Shotwell emphasizes that reusability is a significant cost-saving factor for SpaceX.

Challenges of Reusability:
Shotwell acknowledges that reusability in space is more challenging than in aviation due to the extreme environments and stresses involved. She encourages a focus on problem-solving rather than dwelling on the difficulty of the task.

Gwynne Shotwell on Engineering and Business Acumen:
Engineers should enhance their communication and sales skills to effectively convey and market their ideas. Understanding cost impacts is crucial to ensure cost-effectiveness and sustainability of projects. Thomas Edison’s focus on solutions that benefit society is a valuable example for engineers.

Falcon 1 Business Case and Small Launch Vehicles:
The market for small launch vehicles was limited when Falcon 1 was developed, making it difficult to justify its production. The investment and launch numbers have since changed significantly, indicating a potential shift in the market. SpaceX is currently focused on providing payload opportunities through rideshare missions rather than returning to the small launch vehicle market.

Red Dragon Science Payloads and Timeline:
SpaceX is working on ISRU payloads for Red Dragon, essential for a sustainable return from Mars. The timeline for transitioning from the initial concept to the final design and implementation is still being refined.

Recoverability and Future Technological Challenges:
Learning the limitations of parachutes for landing large rockets was a key technological advancement. The upgrade from Falcon 9 version 1.0 to the current version required significant investment and engineering efforts, primarily focusing on larger tanks, more powerful engines, and increased propellant capacity. Altimeter technology still poses challenges, especially in variable atmospheric conditions, making retro propulsion a more reliable option for landing on Mars.

Envisioning Life on Mars and Its Monetization:
Life on Mars in the next few decades is a complex issue with no straightforward answer. The high cost of travel and the one-way nature of the journey raise questions about the monetization of Mars exploration. A combination of government funding and commercial interests may be necessary to make Mars accessible and sustainable.

Challenges of Mars Travel:
Gwynne Shotwell believes the greatest challenge in designing a Mars-bound spaceship is not the technology itself, but rather the ability to mine fuel on the surface for the return trip. The return trip is crucial to avoid wasting the spaceship and is seen as an essential step.

Nuclear Propulsion:
SpaceX is exploring nuclear propulsion as a promising technology for future space travel, but acknowledges that significant work remains to be done in this area.

Raptor Engine Development:
A test firing video of the Raptor engine is expected to be released in the coming months. The engine is nearing completion and appears promising.

SpaceX’s Future Beyond the ISS:
With the eventual retirement of the ISS, SpaceX is looking towards new destinations for space travel. Commercial entities like Bigelow Aerospace are developing alternative destinations, such as inflatable modules, to support future space missions.

Propellant Margin for Secondary Launches:
SpaceX prioritizes recovery of the first stage, allocating about 25-30% of the propellant for this purpose. The remaining propellant is available for secondary payloads, though the company aims to establish dedicated rideshare flights for small satellites.

Falcon Heavy’s Direct Geo-Insertion Capability:
SpaceX is working on an extended mission kit for the Falcon Heavy to enable direct geo-insertion, allowing it to deliver payloads directly to geostationary orbit. This capability is being developed to meet the requirements of missions certified by the Air Force.

Risk-Taking Culture and Failure Acceptance:
Gwynne Shotwell emphasizes the importance of learning from failures and creating a culture that values risk-taking during the development stage. Failures are inevitable, and the focus should be on recovery and improvement rather than solely preventing them. SpaceX’s risk-taking approach is balanced with caution during operational missions.

Planetary Protection for Mars Missions:
SpaceX recognizes the significance of planetary protection and collaborates with NASA and the FAA to ensure they do not harm the ecosystem of Mars. They aim to avoid areas of supreme importance for scientific exploration.

Elasticity of Demand and Lower Costs:
SpaceX acknowledges that lower costs are desirable, but it’s difficult to predict the exact elasticity of demand. Lower prices have facilitated missions that would not have been possible at higher costs. Momentum for lower-cost access to space is expected to drive more demand.

Spacecraft Accommodation for Tall Individuals:
SpaceX is considering accommodating taller individuals in their capsules, including Elon Musk. The exact height limits and modifications required are still being evaluated.

Laser Communication Systems:
SpaceX is exploring the use of laser communication systems to improve network connectivity.

Considerations for Long-Duration Human Spaceflight:
SpaceX is not currently focused on developing technologies for long-duration human spaceflight, such as addressing radiation exposure and zero-gravity impacts on the human body. They acknowledge the importance of these considerations and rely on research from organizations like NASA to provide solutions.

Criteria for Mars Colonists:
Health and Physical Screens: Potential Mars colonists must pass basic health and physical screens to ensure they are fit for the journey and can handle the challenges of living on Mars. Mental Health Evaluation: Mental health screenings may also be conducted to assess the suitability of candidates for the psychological demands of space travel and life on Mars.

Noise Reduction in Rocket Testing:
Quieter Booster Stand: SpaceX has developed a new, quieter booster stand for testing rocket engines. Reduced Noise from Merlin Engine Tests: Single Merlin engine tests are louder than nine-engine tests conducted on the new stand. Transition to Stage-Level Testing: Once the design is finalized and variability is reduced, SpaceX plans to conduct engine tests on the entire stage, eliminating the need for single-engine tests.

McGregor, Texas: A Center for Rocket Testing:
History of Rocket Testing: The McGregor site in Texas has been used for rocket testing since the 1950s, making it a hub of aerospace activity. Local Pride: Texans are proud of their role in rocket testing and the challenges they undertake. Community Engagement: SpaceX held a community picnic to highlight the importance of McGregor in the journey to Mars, which was well-received by the community.

Gwen Shotwell’s Support for Education:
Student Scholarship Competition: Gwynne Shotwell has been a strong advocate for education and has raised $350,000 for a student scholarship competition. Recognition: Neil Holt acknowledges Shotwell’s contributions to the small satellite community and her commitment to supporting students.