Your chance to begin again (insurance included)
November 30, 2016 9:51 AM   Subscribe

Itching to get off-world for some reason? United Launch Alliance has, well, launched Rocketbuilder, a one-stop interactive desktop/mobile tool to select, configure and cost your next ride to orbit - or beyond.

With a choice of Atlas V booster configurations, orbital types from LEO to Earth Escape, and payload sizes, Rocketbuilder lets you configure and cost your commercial, scientific or private mission. It's not just sticker price; the boring stuff like insurance, typical launch delay issues, and orbital optimisation is factored in too.

Rocketbuilder is a real tool, designed to replace the weeks or months of initial trade enquiries that until now needed a lot of wading through manuals and paperwork. Yet it's not just for actual steely-eyed missile men, women and their steely-spreadsheeted accoutnants: ULA is encouraging educators and space fans (yt press conference) to get stuck in and configure their dreams. Vulcan launch vehicle options will be added next year, for even more upgoer fun.

The payload itself - and that final nine digit bill - are still all yours.
posted by Devonian (8 comments total) 5 users marked this as a favorite
 
...that'd launch a lot of kerbonauts.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:15 AM on November 30, 2016 [2 favorites]


It's all fun and games until the sales guy from the local dealership is emailing and calling you all times of the day, asking what he has to do to get you in to this rocket today. It's too late, sales guy! I already bought the Antares, you lost your commission.
posted by backseatpilot at 10:20 AM on November 30, 2016 [6 favorites]


After added value it's only 61M so I don't see how I can afford not to kidnap my enemies and stuff them into one of these things.
posted by Tevin at 10:21 AM on November 30, 2016 [3 favorites]


Hmmm...44 Million Dollars to launch 500 lbs of beans in Low Earth Orbit.
Who wants to pitch in with me?
posted by Confess, Fletch at 10:54 AM on November 30, 2016 [1 favorite]


A new death awaits you in the (non-existent) off-world colonies!
posted by blue_beetle at 11:04 AM on November 30, 2016


SpaceX did this radical thing earlier this year and put their prices on the web.

Looks like ULA is trying to keep up.
posted by JoeZydeco at 11:06 AM on November 30, 2016


Confess, Fletch: "Hmmm...44 Million Dollars to launch 500 lbs of beans in Low Earth Orbit.
Who wants to pitch in with me?
"

Does that include the plate?
posted by Mitheral at 10:27 PM on November 30, 2016


Salvage 1
posted by lazycomputerkids at 6:35 AM on December 1, 2016


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