SpekeX

SpekeX

SpekeX
Formation	6 May 2002 (2002-05-06)
Headquarters	Wielek, Speke
Budget	$79.200 billion (2022)
Staff	12,000 (2021)

SpekeX Aeronautics, commonly known as "SpekeX", is a private aerospace and aeronautic company headquartered in the eastern city of Wielek, Speke. The company is known for its contributions to the development and advancement of aerospace and aeronautic technologies, particularly in the areas of reusable rocketry and electric aircraft. In addition to these ventures, SpekeX also produces drones for military use.

SpekeX has been a part of SPASEK, the joint space agency of the Sekidean Union, since 2012, despite being a private company. This is because Speke is a founding member of the foundation and has played a significant role in the development and success of SPASEK. SpekeX's contributions to SPASEK have included the development of new space exploration technologies, the launch and operation of satellites, and various collaborative projects with international space agencies.

History

SpekeX was founded in 2002 with the initial goal of colonizing Stratos, a planet that showed evidence of the presence of water in the form of ice but had no known biological life. While the company has not yet developed the necessary technology and infrastructure to support human habitation on Stratos, it has grown and diversified its operations to include a range of other aerospace and aeronautic endeavors. These include the development of reusable rocketry, electric aircraft, and military drones. SpekeX continues to be a leader in the field, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of space exploration and related technologies.

Fleet

SpekeX Aircraft Fleet

Aircraft	In service	Orders	Passenger	Notes
A330 Freighter	27	—	—	Used to transport SpekeX equipment, rocket parts, satellite hubs, or other items requested.
L10XXL	5	—	—	Used to transport rocket parts or other items in bulk.
E1	2	—	15	Experimental electric aircraft, set to be introduced Q2 2023.
Total	32	—	—

SpekeX Space Fleet

Spacecraft	In service	Retired/Destroyed	Cargo Load/Passengers	Notes
Valk 9	5	—	—	SpekeX's smallest rocket currently in operation. Not yet fully reusable.
Valk Heavy	1	—	—	SpekeX's largest rocket currently in operation. Not yet fully reusable.
ION	0	—	0	Experimental spacecraft.
Total	6	—	—

Goals & programs

SpekeX's "ION" prototype on the launchpad at the Wielek Launch Complex

SpekeX has a goal of launching around 3,000 Orbitlink Satellites into Low Anteria Orbit (LAO) around Anteria. As of 2021, the company has already launched over 2,000 of these satellites, which are designed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to users across the planet. The success of the Orbitlink satellites has established SpekeX as a leader in the field of satellite-based internet access, and the company continues to work towards expanding and improving its services. The additional 1,000 satellites are intended to further improve the coverage and reliability of the Orbitlink network.

SpekeX has been working on the development of the ION spacecraft for several years, with multiple prototypes and tests conducted to ensure the safety and reliability of the rocket. The company is planning to conduct the first orbital launch of the ION rocket in 2023, which will mark a significant milestone in their efforts to send humans into space. This launch will be a major accomplishment for SpekeX, and the company is currently preparing for future missions, including the possibility of sending a crew to the Caliesia Lunar Outpost in the near future. The ION spacecraft has shown great promise as a reliable and capable vehicle, and SpekeX is confident in its ability to safely transport astronauts to and from Low Anteria Orbit and beyond.

Orbitlink

SpekeX has launched over 2,000 Orbitlink Satellites into Low Anteria Orbit (LAO) with the aim of providing high-speed, low-latency internet access to users across Anteria. During the beta testing phase, users reported average download speeds ranging from 150mbps to 500mbps, with some users experiencing speeds as high as 1gbps. Upload speeds averaged between 50mbps and 250mbps. In addition to providing ground-based internet access, SpekeX has also developed receivers for use on aircraft and ships. The company is currently conducting Phase 3 testing for its aircraft Orbitlink system, which is intended to provide in-flight internet access to passengers.

Partnerships and collaborations

International Space Agencies

SpekeX is an active member of the Sekidean Space Agency (SPASEK), a collaborative organization dedicated to advancing space exploration and research in the Sekidean Union. As a founding member of SPASEK, SpekeX has made significant contributions to the organization, including the launch of the Sekidean Low Altitude Orbit Station (SLAOS) in 1999. In addition to their involvement with SPASEK, SpekeX has also worked with other international space agencies on various projects and initiatives, including the launch of the Stratos Rover in 2021. These collaborations have allowed SpekeX to expand their capabilities and reach new heights in the field of space exploration.

Military Contracts

SpekeX is a company that has a long history of producing military technology for the government of Speke. One area in which they have been particularly active is in the production of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). While the company has never publicly admitted to possessing or developing WMDs, they do hold a license to produce them on behalf of the Speke military. Despite this, the CEO of SpekeX has been outspoken in his opposition to the use of WMDs, and the company has stated that they will not produce or sell these kinds of weapons to any country or entity that does not abide by strict guidelines for their use.

Despite this stance, rumors and allegations about SpekeX's involvement in the production of WMDs have persisted for many years. Some have even suggested that the company has secretly developed and stockpiled these kinds of weapons, although there is no concrete evidence to support these claims. Regardless of the truth of these rumors, it is clear that SpekeX has a significant role in the military-industrial complex of Speke, and that their work in this area has had a significant impact on the country's national security.

Infrastructure

Launch sites

Wielek Launch Complex

The Wielek Launch Complex, located a short distance north of the capital city of Sczolisziń and east of the industrial city of Wielek, has a long and varied history. Originally built as the Wielek Regional Airport in the late 1970s, the facility was purchased by aerospace and aeronautic company SpekeX in 2002. Recognizing the potential of the site as a launch facility, SpekeX invested heavily in renovations to transform the airport into a state-of-the-art launch complex.

Since its completion in 2004, the Wielek Launch Complex has served as the primary launch site for SpekeX and its partners, including the national space agency of the Sekidean Union, SPASEK. In addition to serving as a launch site, the complex also houses the headquarters of SPASEK and has played a key role in the agency's efforts to advance the capabilities of Anteria's space program.

Over the years, the Wielek Launch Complex has undergone several upgrades to accommodate larger and more powerful rockets, and has successfully launched a range of spacecraft, including satellites, probes, and crewed missions. It has also played host to a number of high-profile events, including the first-ever station-to-station spaceflight in 2007, which saw the crew of the Sekidean Low Altitude Orbit Station (SLAOS) transferred to another station in an emergency situation.

Today, the Wielek Launch Complex remains a vital component of Anteria's space program, and is poised to play a key role in the nation's efforts to advance its capabilities in space exploration and related fields.

Gateway

Gateway is a state-of-the-art launch complex and space research center that is currently being built with the goal of advancing the capabilities of SPASEK and other nations in the field of space exploration. Construction on the facility began in 2019 and is set to be completed in 2023. When finished, Gateway is expected to be Anteria's largest spaceport, offering a range of facilities and amenities to support space-related activities.

These will include a fully functioning manufacturing zone for the production of rockets, planes, and other aerospace vehicles, as well as a passenger terminal to facilitate the transport of crew and payloads to and from space. The complex will also include a space museum, a merchandise shop, a hotel, and dedicated viewing points for the public to witness launches and other space-related events.

In addition to these amenities, Gateway will also serve as a hub for research and development of space-related technologies. It will house laboratories and other research facilities to support the advancement of space exploration and related fields. The facility is expected to cost more than 3 billion ACU to construct, but analysts predict that the final cost may be closer to 5 billion ACU by the end of construction. Despite the high price tag, Gateway is expected to be a major player in the global space industry and attract a wide range of visitors and customers.

Achievements

First Stratos Rover Mission (Endeavour)

On 17 March 2020, SpekeX successfully launched the Stratos rover, Endeavour, to Stratos using the Valk 9 Rocket. This marked the first time that SpekeX had sent a rover to another celestial body and was a major achievement for the company. The rover has been on the surface of Stratos for over a year now, gathering thousands of pieces of data for scientists on Anteria to analyze. The mission has provided detailed information about the atmosphere and geology of Stratos, as well as photos of the Stratoshian surface and information about liquid light hydrocarbons found on its surface. Despite the harsh conditions on Stratos, with average temperatures of around -100°C (-148°F), the rover has managed to stay operational and continue its mission. The Stratos rover mission has been a major success for SpekeX and has contributed significantly to the field of space exploration.

First Orbital Launch of the ION Rocket

The ION rocket, previously known as Astra, is set to undergo its first orbital launch in 2023. The launch has been met with delays, but on January 13, 2023, the company announced that the ION rocket had been stacked on top of the ELECTRON I booster prototype. This marks a significant step in the launch preparations and the company is planning to conduct a cryotest and static engine fire of the booster in the coming weeks.

The resulting vehicle from the stacking of the ION rocket on top of the booster is reported to be the largest rocket ever on land. The first orbital launch of the ION rocket is expected to take place in either Q2 or Q3 of 2023. This launch is considered to be a major milestone for the company and for the space industry as a whole.

Controversies

Reflections from Orbitlink Satellites

SpekeX received criticism for a few reasons, one being that the Orbitlink satellites were highly visible in the night sky. A train of these satellites was almost visible every night across Anteria at a magnitude of around 3.2, and this became a popular activity known as "Orbitlink spotting" in 2020. However, this visibility was also an annoyance and hinderance to space exploration and research, so in 2021, an anti-reflective coating was applied to the solar panels of the Orbitlink satellites to fix this problem. This made the train of satellites no longer visible to the naked eye, but it remains a beloved memory for those who were able to see it during the trend of Orbitlink spotting.