The at least cost, to launch a satellite in a usual way is US$50,000,000. But newly-inaugurated aerospace Swiss space systems (S3), claims to put a satellite into the orbit in just 10.6 million. Why so cheap? The company is planning on flying satellites into space using an airliner and unmanned shuttle.
The system will integrate an Airbus A300, a commercial aircraft that is already certified for zero gravity flights. There will be shuttle on the back of A300, containing a satellite init having no weight more than thaoff from a designated spaceport. It will release the shuttle at an altitude of 10000 meters (32808 feet). Then the shuttle will start its engine and climb up to 80 Km (50 miles), at the point from which satellite would be launched from its cargo bay. At that point, the satellite’s upper stage engine will take it into the orbit, while the shuttle will return back to the spaceport for reuse.
As per S3, it requires less fuel than a conventional rocket launch. For the time being, the launch could be called off at any point with the shuttle returning back to the earth even carrying its payload. In addition to this S3 can take it off from any location, having capability accommodating it, multiple spaceports could be built in different locations around the world. It means that client is no required to transport their satellites in great distances in so that to be launched.
S3 has planned to open first spaceport in the Swiss city of Payerne by 2015, from where the first test launch has been scheduled by end of 2017. More spaceports have been planned for Malaysia and Morocco and more other locations pending.
