Small Innovative Launcher for Europe: achievement of the H2020 project SMILE ...

• Main Authors: OVING, Bertil, HAEMMERLI, Bastien, KUHN, Markus, PETROZZI, Marina
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Proceedings of the 7th European Conference for Aeronautics and Space Sciences. Milano, Italy, 3-6 july 2017 2017
• Subjects: AEROSPACE SYSTEMS; LAUNCH VEHICLE DESIGN; AEROSPACE PROPULSION; STRUCTURES; GNC; Norway; Northern Norway
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.13009/eucass2017-600; https://www.eucass.eu/doi/EUCASS2017-600.pdf

Today\'s market for small satellites is expanding, but there is little availability of affordable launches. Launch costs of around EUR 50,000 per kg are required to compete with ride-shares. Hence, production and operation costs are considered essential. Fourteen European companies and institutes have joined forces in a Horizon2020 project called \"SMall Innovative Launcher for Europe\" (SMILE). The project aims at designing a launcher for satellites of about 50 kg and a European launch facility in northern Norway. Critical technologies on propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing of cost-effective solutions are developed in order to increase the readiness level of a future European launcher. ...