This article nicely summarizes the struggles that the space industry has been facing, especially regarding supply chain issues and end-customer demands. It provides an insightful overview, pointing out many surface-level challenges and serving as an excellent resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of the sector. I've primarily focused on transitioning from "a few large, complex satellites" to "larger quantities of smaller, cheaper spacecraft." Of course, this transition for companies hasn’t been easy; it has exposed some systemic weaknesses within the industry. The traditional companies, steeped in older methodologies, often struggle more with this transition compared to newer companies that were designed to operate under these evolving paradigms. Yet, both face significant hurdles. The industry’s pursuit of contracts that emphasize "speed and technical maturity" are at odds with the “new space” mentality of producing more affordable spacecraft. Achieving technical maturity is not easy when a critical benchmark is successful spaceflight. That doesn’t happen without significant investment, and you don’t move fast without making mistakes. So then, how do you make cheaper spacecraft? These dynamics suggest that finding ways to efficiently produce cost-effective spacecraft without compromising on speed or technical prowess remains the 'holy grail' of our industry. The journey toward this goal continues to be as challenging as it is fascinating, and I am personally thrilled to be a part of this wild ride!
Sandra Erwin and Debra Werner bringing attention to the critical issue of supply chain. York is the only Prime contractor manufacturing our own platform and fielding space proven, low-risk solutions.
