This is being blown out of proportion. Vulcan's Stratolauncher is not the future of launch; if this thing ever manages to leave the ground (with a payload), I doubt it will host more than five-to-seven launches throughout its lifetime, and that's a generous estimate.
This vehicle is going to be incredibly expensive, compared to both other air launch options and dedicated smallsat options. Although this can change, the current plan is for Stratolaunch to use OATK's Pegasus-XL payload, which provides an indicator for cost. Pegasus-XL launches are incredibly expensive ($337.3K per kg). Now, this is due to a variety of reasons (the L-1011's incredibly high maintenance costs, OATK's expensive labor structure, low launch cadence). Vulcan will bear similar costs--the inefficient OATK overhead tied to Pegasus-XL, Stratolauncher is a one-of-a-kind aircraft and increasing maintenance costs (despite using 747 engines). Due to significant development delays, the company has yet to develop or execute a customer strategy. Depending on how much more PA pumps into it, the company will not be price competitive in the market.
For comparison, other small launchers charge ~$25K/kg-$41K/kg (e.g., Rocket Lab, Virgin, Arianespace), and most of these will be able to launch US payloads. Virgin's comparable airlauncher delivers slightly less mass (15 kg less), but is priced at ~$40K/kg. Virgin is already a leg up as it has engaged commercial, civil govt., and mil-govt. customers.
Lastly, it's worth noting that this vehicle still has significant work to be done--look at the wings in the picture.
This vehicle is going to be incredibly expensive, compared to both other air launch options and dedicated smallsat options. Although this can change, the current plan is for Stratolaunch to use OATK's Pegasus-XL payload, which provides an indicator for cost. Pegasus-XL launches are incredibly expensive ($337.3K per kg). Now, this is due to a variety of reasons (the L-1011's incredibly high maintenance costs, OATK's expensive labor structure, low launch cadence). Vulcan will bear similar costs--the inefficient OATK overhead tied to Pegasus-XL, Stratolauncher is a one-of-a-kind aircraft and increasing maintenance costs (despite using 747 engines). Due to significant development delays, the company has yet to develop or execute a customer strategy. Depending on how much more PA pumps into it, the company will not be price competitive in the market.
For comparison, other small launchers charge ~$25K/kg-$41K/kg (e.g., Rocket Lab, Virgin, Arianespace), and most of these will be able to launch US payloads. Virgin's comparable airlauncher delivers slightly less mass (15 kg less), but is priced at ~$40K/kg. Virgin is already a leg up as it has engaged commercial, civil govt., and mil-govt. customers.
Lastly, it's worth noting that this vehicle still has significant work to be done--look at the wings in the picture.