Balloon based satellite launcher Zero2Infinity is covered over at Universe Today, following an announcement this week on launch plans for small satellites to LEO and beyond.
Zero2Infinity is a Barcelona-based company which has been operating high altitude balloon systems since 2009, operating payloads and prototypes at over 30km.
They're looking at a launch system which uses a balloon launch to the 20km, and then a rocket stage to achieve orbit, where the high launch altitude results in lower drag and more flexibility in the rocket design.
This idea, known as a Rockoon is not new, but Zero2Infinity appear to be eyeing the emerging cubesat and associated small payload opportunities as a practical driver to make the launch payloads they can support (quoted as 75kg) viable.
Many new successful companies have business plans based on nanosatellites, like Skybox Imaging, but the dedicated launcher that they would need, doesn’t exist yet. The launch industry needs to be transformed and adapt to the real necessity of providing small payloads with the flexibility to pick their own orbit and their launch date. We believe bloostar, as the first orbital rockoon, is the solution for clean, cost-effective and sustainable Space access
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday October 19 2014, @04:54AM
Just launch the Earth's crust into orbit, morons. Then you can lord over the survivors like the egomaniacal corporate scum that you are.
(Score: 2) by hellcat on Sunday October 19 2014, @10:27AM
You're quite the troll on this one!
For those who believe the best future lies among the stars, this is great progress.
Sure, idiots and idiotic ideas will go along for the ride. It's up the rest of us to accept them as they are and still forge ahead.
Go rockoon!
(Score: 1) by Gravis on Sunday October 19 2014, @12:09PM
For those who believe the best future lies among the stars, this is great progress.
the "best future" can only be found in a post-scarcity economy. if we make it to post-scarcity then we may just reach out to the stars.
"How did they build those pyramids?"
"They just threw human death and suffering at them until they were finished."