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SEOPS Adds Second Waymaker Rideshare Mission

August 17, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

SEOPS adds second Waymaker rideshare mission on Falcon 9.
Mission to carry payloads to mid-inclination orbit in early 2028.
Waymaker-2 remains scheduled for late 2028.
SEOPS originally ordered Falcon 9 for GTO rideshare mission.

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Strategic Implications

SEOPS' expansion may indicate growing demand for dedicated rideshare missions, which could signal a shift in the launch services market. The move suggests that companies are seeking alternative means to launch their spacecraft, potentially due to concerns about SpaceX's rideshare programs, and may indicate a trend towards more flexible and customer-centric launch services.

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What Happened

Launch Services Provider Expands Dedicated Rideshare Offerings

SEOPS has announced a second dedicated rideshare mission, Waymaker-1, to be launched on a Falcon 9 in early 2028. The mission will carry payloads to a mid-inclination orbit, and the company has reported high demand for the service. SEOPS originally ordered the Falcon 9 for a geostationary transfer orbit rideshare mission, but has reassigned it to meet growing demand for mid-inclination orbits. The company’s president, Evan Hoyt, stated that the backlog for GTO is growing, but most programs are experiencing delays, and the new mission will allow SEOPS to serve a significant portion of the market. This development was first reported by SpaceNews.

Source | Originally Published: August 17, 2026

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