Innovative European Launcher Concept SMILE

Abstract

The demand for small satellites is rapidly increasing and a market is forming for such low-mass payloads. Conventional launch providers however offer restricted flexibility and capacity for affordable launches. Launch costs of €50,000 per kg are required to compete with ride-shares. Therefore, cost reduction is essential, to be achieved via reusable components, low cost components, volume production and optimised manufacturing. Fourteen European SMEs and research institutes are joining forces in the European research program "SMall Innovative Launcher for Europe" (SMILE). The project aims at designing a launcher for satellites up to 50 kg and a European-based launch facility at Andøya, as well as demonstrating critical technologies on propulsion, avionics, and manufacturing of cost-effective solutions. For propulsion, a trade-off between liquid and hybrid engines is considered to realise the project's objectives in terms of performance and economic viability.