Project description
Innovative launch system for small satellites
The European small satellite market is a rising and ambitious actor in the European New Space economy. EU innovative space launch companies are searching to develop cheaper, frequent and flexible ways to reach the space by small satellites by developing a vertical orbital launch system. The result of such an innovative solution will allow EU small satellites to be competitive in the global market and attract investments. The EU-funded ENVOL project intends to establish the first European commercial, competitive and green launch service. The project will designate an innovative and industrial low-cost launch system, demonstrate and advance crucial launcher technologies to guarantee market preparedness and competitivity, prepare a business plan and identify the institutions able to attract investments.
Objective
ENVOL main objective is to provide Europe its prime commercial, competitive and green launch service, utilizing a true New Space approach to offer low-cost, frequent and flexible access to space to small satellites in the range of 100 to 200 kg by 2024.
To achieve this goal, the tip of the spear of European innovative space launch companies has joined forces to develop a vertical orbital launch system that will:
• Act as an accelerator for the growth of the European New Space economy;
• Be competitive and prevail in a contested and global market;
• Attract enough investment to reach the tipping point of commercialization;
• Target achieving the first European orbital launch from Continental Europe;
• Compete for the EC Horizon Prize on European Low-Cost Space Launch;
• Be the first orbital launcher worldwide to use green hybrid rocket propulsion.
The project will run for 36 months, with 9 industrial companies from 7 European countries. The total EC contribution is 3 987 416 Euro, and the main outputs of ENVOL are:
• A detailed definition of an innovative and industrial low-cost European launch system
• A total of four ambitious launch vehicle demonstrators on the turbopump, tank and structures, launcher avionics and payload avionics, advancing the maturity of critical launcher technologies to ensure market readiness and competitiveness.
• A business plan grounded by industrial expertise, along with a development plan and the identification of the organization capable to attract investments and to ensure that the work performed in this project transforms into a commercial activity servicing the small satellite launch market in Europe and beyond.
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RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
2830 Raufoss
Norway