Where to send your CubeSat for launch
Several companies now offer dedicated CubeSat launch services, meaning they will integrate your satellite onto a rocket and send it to orbit. These are not the only launch options — you can also ride as a secondary payload on a larger mission — but dedicated providers give you more control over timing and orbit. The main companies operating CubeSat launch vehicles are Rocket Lab (Electron), Virgin Orbit (LauncherOne, now inactive), Axiom Space (through partnerships), and several international providers including Relativity Space and Axiom Space subsidiaries.
The choice depends on your orbit, your timeline, your budget, and how many CubeSats you need to launch together. A single 3U CubeSat costs roughly $5 million to $15 million on a dedicated flight, though prices vary by provider and orbit. Ride-share missions through companies like Spaceflight or Exolaunch cost less per unit but offer less control over deployment timing and orbit insertion.
Key Takeaways
- Rocket Lab's Electron is the most active dedicated CubeSat launcher, flying regularly to low Earth orbit and offering flexible scheduling.
- Ride-share missions through brokers like Spaceflight or Exolaunch cost less per satellite but require you to accept a shared launch date and orbit.
- International providers including Relativity Space and Chinese operators offer alternatives, though export controls and lead times vary significantly.
- Most providers require your CubeSat to pass a design review and fit their mechanical and electrical interface standards before booking a flight.
- Lead times range from 12 to 36 months depending on the provider and whether you book a dedicated or shared mission.
Rocket Lab Electron: the active dedicated provider
Rocket Lab operates Electron, a small-lift launch vehicle designed specifically for CubeSats and small satellites. Electron flies from two locations: Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand and Wallops Island in Virginia. The rocket can carry multiple CubeSats to low Earth orbit (LEO) in the 400 to 1,000 kilometer range, and Rocket Lab offers both dedicated missions (where you book the entire flight) and rideshare slots on scheduled flights.
Rocket Lab's process begins with a design review of your CubeSat. You submit technical documentation including mass, power draw, magnetic properties, and mechanical dimensions. Rocket Lab verifies that your satellite meets their interface requirements and poses no risk to the launch vehicle or other payloads. Once approved, you can book a flight slot. Dedicated missions typically launch within 12 to 18 months of booking, depending on the launch site and current backlog.
Pricing for Rocket Lab varies by mission type. A dedicated Electron flight costs in the range of $5 million to $7 million, though this can increase if you request a specific orbit or inclination. Rideshare slots are cheaper per satellite but you share the rocket with other payloads and have less control over exact deployment timing. Rocket Lab publishes a launch manifest showing upcoming flights and available rideshare slots.
Ride-share brokers: lower cost, less control
Spaceflight and Exolaunch are brokers that aggregate CubeSats from multiple customers and book them onto larger rockets operated by other companies. Instead of booking directly with a launch provider, you contract with the broker, who handles integration and coordinates with the rocket operator. This model reduces your cost per satellite because you split the rocket's capacity with many other payloads.
Spaceflight typically books missions on rockets like SpaceX's Falcon 9 and other providers. Exolaunch does the same, with a focus on sun-synchronous orbits and polar missions. Both brokers charge per kilogram or per CubeSat unit, with prices typically ranging from $1 million to $3 million per 3U CubeSat depending on the target orbit. The trade-off is that you cannot choose your launch date — you accept the broker's scheduled mission date, which may be 18 to 36 months away.
The broker will also require your CubeSat to pass a design review and meet their mechanical and electrical interface standards. Once approved, your satellite is integrated into a deployment structure (often a Poly Picosatellite Orbital Deployer, or P-POD) along with other CubeSats. All satellites on the mission deploy together, so you have no control over the exact moment your CubeSat separates from the rocket.
International and emerging providers
Relativity Space is developing Terran 1, a 3D-printed small-lift vehicle intended to compete with Electron. As of now, Terran 1 has not yet flown operational CubeSat missions, but the company has announced plans to offer dedicated and rideshare flights. Lead times and pricing are not yet finalized.
Chinese providers including China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) and others operate small launch vehicles and accept international CubeSat payloads, though export controls and licensing requirements explore depending on your location and the satellite's technology. European providers like Axiom Space and partnerships with Arianespace also exist, but availability and pricing vary. If you are outside the United States, check with your national space agency or a local launch broker for options that comply with your country's regulations.
Japanese and Indian providers also offer CubeSat launch services, though with longer lead times and less frequent flights than Rocket Lab. These options are worth exploring if you have flexibility on timing or if your orbit preference aligns with their scheduled missions.
What happens during the design review
Every launch provider requires a design review before accepting your CubeSat. This is not a pass-or-fail gate in most cases — it is a technical check to may support your satellite will not damage the launch vehicle, interfere with other payloads, or create safety hazards. You will submit documentation including:
- Mass and center-of-gravity calculations
- Electrical power requirements and battery specifications
- Magnetic field measurements (to may support no interference with navigation systems)
- Mechanical drawings showing how the satellite attaches to the deployer
- Outgassing and contamination analysis (materials that may off-gas in vacuum)
- Propulsion system details, if your CubeSat carries fuel or compressed gas
The review typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. If the provider identifies issues, they will ask you to modify your design or provide additional testing data. Once approved, you receive a flight readiness review closer to launch, where you confirm that your satellite matches the approved design and is ready for integration.
Cost comparison and timeline expectations
The table below shows typical costs and timelines for different launch routes. Prices vary by provider, orbit, and current demand, so treat these as ranges rather than fixed rates.
| Launch Type | Typical Cost (3U CubeSat) | Lead Time | Orbit Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocket Lab Electron (dedicated) | $5M–$7M | 12–18 months | High |
| Rocket Lab Electron (rideshare) | $1.5M–$3M | 18–24 months | Low |
| Spaceflight/Exolaunch broker | $1M–$3M | 18–36 months | Low |
| International providers | $2M–$8M | 24–48 months | Varies |
Lead times depend on the provider's current backlog and whether you book a dedicated or shared flight. Rocket Lab typically has the shortest lead times because they fly frequently. Ride-share brokers may have longer waits because they aggregate payloads until they have enough to fill a rocket. International providers often have longer lead times due to regulatory approvals and less frequent launch schedules.
How to start the booking process
Contact the launch provider or broker directly with your CubeSat's specifications: mass, dimensions, power requirements, and target orbit. Most providers have a website with contact information and a preliminary questionnaire. You will be assigned a mission manager who will walk you through the design review, scheduling, and integration process.
Before you contact anyone, have your CubeSat design finalized or at least in a mature state. Providers need to know your satellite's mass, power draw, and mechanical interface to give you an accurate quote and timeline. If your design is still changing, expect the lead time to extend because the provider will need to re-review your satellite before flight.
Ask the provider about their cancellation policy and what happens if you need to delay your launch. Some providers allow you to move to a later flight slot without penalty; others charge a fee. Clarify this before you sign a contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I launch a CubeSat on a commercial cargo mission to the International Space Station?
Yes. Companies like SpaceX and Northrop Grumman launch cargo to the ISS, and astronauts can deploy CubeSats from the station. This route is slower and more expensive than a direct-to-orbit launch, but it is an option if you want your satellite deployed from a crewed vehicle. Contact the cargo provider or a broker like Spaceflight to explore this path.
What if my CubeSat fails the design review?
The provider will tell you what does not meet their requirements and ask you to fix it. Common issues include magnetic fields that are too strong, outgassing materials, or mechanical interfaces that do not fit their deployer. You modify your design, resubmit documentation, and the provider reviews again. This can add weeks or months to your timeline.
Do I need insurance for my CubeSat launch?
Most launch providers require you to carry launch insurance that covers the cost of your satellite if the rocket fails. Insurance typically costs 10 to 15 percent of your satellite's value and is purchased through a broker. Ask your launch provider which insurers they work with.
Can I choose which orbit my CubeSat goes to?
On a dedicated Rocket Lab flight, yes — you can request a specific altitude and inclination. On a rideshare mission, no — you accept the orbit that the broker has booked with the launch provider. If your mission requires a specific orbit, a dedicated flight is your only option, though it costs more.
How long does it take from booking to launch?
Rocket Lab typically launches within 12 to 18 months of booking a dedicated flight. Rideshare missions through brokers take 18 to 36 months because the broker needs to aggregate enough payloads to fill a rocket. International providers may take 24 to 48 months. These timelines assume your CubeSat passes the design review on the first submission.