SpaceLS develops commercial rocket to launch small satellites

The developer, Space Launch Services (SpaceLS) is hoping to compete with private launch firms such as SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and RocketLab with its rocket, known as Prometheus 1.

The rocket is being designed to place small satellites of around 100kg into low earth orbit, including the low cost CubeSats used by educational institutions, according to SpaceLS programme director Jamie Welton.

“There is a shift towards smaller satellites, as the technology improves, so the market for these type of launches is likely to grow,” said Welton. “When you look at the bigger companies such as SpaceX, they don’t have the capacity to take many of these smaller payloads on board, as a lot of their launches are dedicated to one, larger satellite, and they won’t take secondary payloads.”

The rocket will be propelled by a 75,000 pound-force, bi-propellant engine, called Raptoex, which will be fuelled by hydrogen peroxide and kerosene. The company chose to use a hydrogen peroxide and kerosene propellant as it is much easier and cheaper to handle than alternatives such as liquid oxygen.