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Air Launch space Transportation using an Automated aircraft and an Innovative Rocket

Objective

ALTAIR’s strategic objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of a new cost effective and reliable space launch system for the access to Low-Earth Orbit (400-1000 km) of small satellites ranging from 50 to 150 kg. The ALTAIR launch system aims to be the expected answer to the needs of small satellites users, providing an affordable and adapted access to space service, without the constraints of current rideshare launch options. ALTAIR will boost space applications to the benefit of an increased spectrum of users, from classic satellite operators to academics and research centres.
To support this ambitious goal, the ALTAIR system combines an innovative semi-reusable concept and the integration of relevant technologies in all parts of the system. ALTAIR is an innovative air-launch system using a reusable unmanned aircraft carrier optimised specifically for this mission. The expendable rocket launch vehicle, which is released at high altitude, associates green propellant hybrid propulsion, lightweight composite structure, innovative avionics and a versatile upper-stage, providing mission flexibility. Cost-effective ground operations are obtained through innovative ground systems architecture.
ALTAIR will pave the way for a feasible system ready to address the market’s need through an original approach associating a cost-oriented preliminary design of the whole system (carrier vehicle, launch vehicle and ground segment) using advanced Multidisciplinary Design Optimisation techniques, and the definition of a credible development roadmap and business model, supported by market analyses. The design will be supported by flight experimentations for key technologies using the existing small scale demonstrator EOLE.
The 36-month ALTAIR project benefits from a solid and proven heritage, and gathers the experience of 8 partners from 6 countries (including industrial companies, research centres and a technical centre of a space agency), for a total EC contribution of 3.5 M€.

Coordinator

OFFICE NATIONAL D'ETUDES ET DE RECHERCHES AEROSPATIALES
Net EU contribution
€ 1 164 487,25
Address
Chemin De La Huniere
91120 Palaiseau
France

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Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Essonne
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00

Participants (8)

BERTIN TECHNOLOGIES SAS
France
Net EU contribution
€ 549 402,46
Address
Av Ampere 10b Parc Activ Pas Du Lac
78180 Montigny Le Bretonneux

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Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Yvelines
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
GTD SISTEMAS DE INFORMACION SA
Spain
Net EU contribution
€ 565 220,29
Address
Paseo Garcia Faria 17
08005 Barcelona

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Region
Este Cataluña Barcelona
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
NAMMO RAUFOSS AS
Norway
Net EU contribution
€ 280 467,50
Address
Enggata 37
2830 Raufoss

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Region
Norge Innlandet Innlandet
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES SPA
Italy
Net EU contribution
€ 350 793,75
Address
Largo Angelo Fochetti 29
00185 Roma

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Region
Centro (IT) Lazio Roma
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
CENTRE NATIONAL D'ETUDES SPATIALES - CNES
France
Net EU contribution
€ 380 002,50
Address
Place Maurice Quentin 2
75039 Paris

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Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 301 125,00
EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICH
Switzerland
Net EU contribution
€ 0,00
Address
Raemistrasse 101
8092 Zuerich

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Region
Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Zürich Zürich
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 470 797,50
SPACETEC PARTNERS SRL
Belgium
Net EU contribution
€ 106 250,00
Address
Avenue Louise 89
1050 Bruxelles

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Région de Bruxelles-Capitale/Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest Région de Bruxelles-Capitale/ Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest Arr. de Bruxelles-Capitale/Arr. Brussel-Hoofdstad
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
Third-party

Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.

SPACETEC CAPITAL GMBH
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 107 125,00
Address
Rumfordstrasse 10
80469 Munchen

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00