Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ZEPHYR (Development of an innovative GPM for the ZEPHYR microlauncher)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2024-12-01 do 2025-11-30
Latitude, a French launcher company, ambitions to become a world leading end-to-end space access provider, by developing and operating a dedicated micro-launcher called “Zephyr”. Zephyr is a launch vehicle which will be able to place small satellites of up to 200 kg in Low Earth Orbit.
This launch solution is expected to be nimble, reliable, reactive, and affordable to allow small satellites to embark on their own dedicated micro launcher.
The cornerstone of these services is Zephyr, powered by an in-house designed rocket engine, Navier and an innovative low-cost launchpad system which allows an easy rescheduling, launching from several launchpads without launchpad-specific design, and therefore scale economies.
The goal of the project is to develop an innovative GPM (Ground Proximity Means) for the ZEPHYR microlauncher, that can travel with our launcher as a real “Stage 0” and be fully adaptable to any spaceport launchpad.
Smart GPM
- GPM becomes a real STAGE 0 of Zephyr
- GPM fully supervised by Zephyr on-board computers
- Freedom to launch from any launch pad without the need for a specific ground structure
- Simplified interface between launcher and the ground
- Transportable, providing rapid access to new launch sites and flexibility during the ramp-up phase
This launch solution is expected to be nimble, reliable, reactive, and affordable to allow small satellites to embark on their own dedicated micro launcher.
The cornerstone of these services is Zephyr, powered by an in-house designed rocket engine, Navier and an innovative low-cost launchpad system which allows an easy rescheduling, launching from several launchpads without launchpad-specific design, and therefore scale economies.
The goal of the project is to develop an innovative GPM (Ground Proximity Means) for the ZEPHYR microlauncher, that can travel with our launcher as a real “Stage 0” and be fully adaptable to any spaceport launchpad.
Smart GPM
- GPM becomes a real STAGE 0 of Zephyr
- GPM fully supervised by Zephyr on-board computers
- Freedom to launch from any launch pad without the need for a specific ground structure
- Simplified interface between launcher and the ground
- Transportable, providing rapid access to new launch sites and flexibility during the ramp-up phase
WP1 - Project Management
Project management on-going. Team structure split into technical teams + admin teams. Monthly project leadership team meetings to go through all roadblocks and progress on the project.
WP2 - Preparatory activities for market introduction
Implementation of a Commercial Plan that gives us info on: Short overview of the company, Market Analysis, Competition Analysis. Commercial team implemented to manage both business development with satellite operators but also partners such as: insurers, transport, SSA, sat manufacturers, separation systems, to increase visibility and implement complete offer for customers
WP3 - Commercial support activities
First iterations of PUG, Website and Commercial Growth plan completed, work ongoing to develop our legal & contractual framework.
WP4 - Integration of Ground Segment and Validation on Test Site
The Simplicity pre-qualification campaign successfully fulfilled all its objectives, validating both the design and operational principles of the Smart Ground Proximity Means (Smart GPM). All subsystems — electrical, fluidic, and mechanical — demonstrated nominal performance throughout the tests, confirming maturity and coherence within the integrated architecture.
Through the Simplicity bench and the Stage 2 Engineering Model (EM) interfaces, this phase successfully demonstrated the operational compatibility of the ground systems with the launcher subsystems. All main interfaces — mechanical, fluidic, and electrical/software — were tested and fine-tuned. The campaign confirmed that the Smart GPM architecture is mature, reliable, and operationally coherent with the launcher’s interface standards. Minor improvements identified during testing have been incorporated into the next iteration of the design.
However, as the complete Stage 2 hardware is not yet available, a complementary campaign will be conducted to verify final interface completeness and to perform coupled system tests under integrated conditions.
WP5 - First Launch Campaign & Feedback
Activities are planned in 2026 prior to Launch Campaign. First work for Smart GPM QR planned for 2026, however Launch Campaign delayed to early 2027.
Project management on-going. Team structure split into technical teams + admin teams. Monthly project leadership team meetings to go through all roadblocks and progress on the project.
WP2 - Preparatory activities for market introduction
Implementation of a Commercial Plan that gives us info on: Short overview of the company, Market Analysis, Competition Analysis. Commercial team implemented to manage both business development with satellite operators but also partners such as: insurers, transport, SSA, sat manufacturers, separation systems, to increase visibility and implement complete offer for customers
WP3 - Commercial support activities
First iterations of PUG, Website and Commercial Growth plan completed, work ongoing to develop our legal & contractual framework.
WP4 - Integration of Ground Segment and Validation on Test Site
The Simplicity pre-qualification campaign successfully fulfilled all its objectives, validating both the design and operational principles of the Smart Ground Proximity Means (Smart GPM). All subsystems — electrical, fluidic, and mechanical — demonstrated nominal performance throughout the tests, confirming maturity and coherence within the integrated architecture.
Through the Simplicity bench and the Stage 2 Engineering Model (EM) interfaces, this phase successfully demonstrated the operational compatibility of the ground systems with the launcher subsystems. All main interfaces — mechanical, fluidic, and electrical/software — were tested and fine-tuned. The campaign confirmed that the Smart GPM architecture is mature, reliable, and operationally coherent with the launcher’s interface standards. Minor improvements identified during testing have been incorporated into the next iteration of the design.
However, as the complete Stage 2 hardware is not yet available, a complementary campaign will be conducted to verify final interface completeness and to perform coupled system tests under integrated conditions.
WP5 - First Launch Campaign & Feedback
Activities are planned in 2026 prior to Launch Campaign. First work for Smart GPM QR planned for 2026, however Launch Campaign delayed to early 2027.
The Simplicity pre-qualification campaign successfully fulfilled all its objectives, validating both the design and operational principles of the Smart Ground Proximity Means (Smart GPM). All subsystems — electrical, fluidic, and mechanical — demonstrated nominal performance throughout the tests, confirming their maturity and coherence within the integrated architecture.
Successfully demonstrated the operational compatibility of the ground systems with the launcher subsystems. All main interfaces — mechanical, fluidic, and electrical/software — were tested and fine-tuned. The campaign confirmed that the Smart GPM architecture is mature, reliable, and operationally coherent with the launcher’s interface standards.
Minor improvements identified during testing have been incorporated into the next iteration of the design.
A complementary campaign will be conducted to verify final interface completeness and to perform coupled system tests under integrated conditions.
Successfully demonstrated the operational compatibility of the ground systems with the launcher subsystems. All main interfaces — mechanical, fluidic, and electrical/software — were tested and fine-tuned. The campaign confirmed that the Smart GPM architecture is mature, reliable, and operationally coherent with the launcher’s interface standards.
Minor improvements identified during testing have been incorporated into the next iteration of the design.
A complementary campaign will be conducted to verify final interface completeness and to perform coupled system tests under integrated conditions.