Industry-wide concerns suggest SpaceX may wind down its dedicated rideshare programs on Falcon 9 after late 2028 or early 2029, potentially opening opportunities for SEOPS and others."

The move toward mid-inclination rideshares is tied to expected delays and backlog in GTO missions, with GTO bookings not anticipated to be ready until 2029.

SEOPS is launching a second dedicated Waymaker rideshare mission on a Falcon 9, Waymaker-1, targeting a mid-inclination orbit in early 2028 due to strong demand.

Waymaker-2, the initially planned dedicated GTO rideshare, remains scheduled for late 2028 and is already over 90% sold out, underscoring robust demand for dedicated launches.

SEOPS envisions a broader rideshare portfolio beyond Falcon 9, including talks with other launch providers to offer a regular Waymaker mission series and more vehicle options for customers.

Waymaker-1 will reuse a Falcon 9 first stage originally ordered for Darkstar-1 since November 2024, demonstrating SEOPS’ tactic of repurposing existing assets for new mission profiles.

Exolaunch has secured two Falcon 9 launches for its own dedicated rideshare missions in late 2027 and 2028, signaling rising demand for independent rideshare capabilities.

Hoyt stressed that customers must book launches years in advance due to surging demand across low Earth orbit satellite deployments, even amid market uncertainties.