We are collaborating on the design of a service to put small satellites into orbit at a reduced cost

High costs and waiting times mean that small European satellites are launched by suppliers located outside of the Continent, with the consequent dependence on countries such as the United States or China.

The Smile (H2020) initiative promoted by the European Commission (EC) within the framework of “Independent access to space from the European continent” has developed a design that meets the innovative concept requirements and is cost effective.

This project has been put together by 14 European entities, two of which are Spanish. We have been the centre responsible for developing a thermal protection system for the payload fairing so that it can withstand up to 1,100 degrees which are reached within 90 seconds of the launch process.

The other Spanish company specialises in PLD Space launching technologies and has been responsible for characterising and testing the launch motors.

Low-cost launcher

Waiting times are reduced and loads increased with this design. In terms of time frames, the low-cost launcher has been designed for a minimum of ten launches per year in order to ensure its viability. The launch site shall be at the facilities located in the small Norwegian island of Andoya. These facilities are currently used to put European military satellites into orbit, among others.

The new design will have a direct impact on companies who wish to put satellites into orbit in order to improve their products and access new markets.