SOAR (spaceplane)
 SOAR spaceplane rendering with Airbus A300 | |
| Function | Autonomous suborbital launch and landing |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Swiss Space Systems |
| Size | |
| Stages | Air-launched, one as fully reusable spacecraft or two as partially reusable spacecraft |
| Boosters | |
| Engines | NK-39 |
SOAR(Sub-Orbital Re-Usable Aircraft) was apartially reusableair-launchedspaceplanelaunch systemconcept designed to launch small satellites on asuborbitalororbitaltrajectory. The vehicle, derived from theHermesspacecraft developed by theEuropean Space Agency,was planned to be built, launched, and operated bySwiss Space Systems.[1][2]The spaceplane was planned to launch from anAirbus A300aircraft named S3 Zero Gravity Airliner. Once at altitude, the spaceplane was planned to separate from the aircraft and ignite anNK-39engine developed by theRussian Federal Space Agency.[3]After fuel depletion at about 80 kilometers altitude, the plane was planned to release its payload before gliding back and landing onEarth.[4]
The launch vehicle was planned to also havelow Earth orbitcapability when launched in conjunction with anexpendableupper stage.Swiss Space Systems has contracted the Russian firmRKK Energiato develop the upper stage.[5]With an upper stage, the spacecraft was planned to be able to launch a 250-kilogram payload into orbit.[1]
Swiss Space Systems claimed that the spaceplane could cost about one fourth than current suborbital launch costs.[6]The spaceplane was notionally targeted to have its first test launch by 2017. However, following financial trouble, the company was declared bankrupt in a Swiss civil court, ending its operations.[7]
Development[edit]
Swiss Space Systems announced in 2015 that the airplane was planned to begin test flights in 2016. Additionally, by Spring 2016 the company plans to begin drop testing of the spaceplane, which would include dropping a scaled-downboilerplatespacecraft which wouldautonomouslyland in an airport.[8]As of September 2014, test firings of the engine were expected to begin in late 2015.[9]
The company also partnered withBauman Moscow State Technical Universityin 2013. According to Explore Deep Space, this partnership was planned to "enable the exchange of academicals between Russia and Switzerland".[10]
Missions[edit]
Formerly planned[edit]
- CleanSpace One,a 30 kilogram satellite designed to demonstrate technologies forspace junkremoval.[11]
Completed[edit]
No missions of the spaceplane were completed.
Future plans[edit]
Human spaceflight[edit]
In 2013, Swiss Space Systems declared their intention to eventually upgrade the spaceplane forhuman spaceflight.The company also announced a partnership withThales Alenia Spacefor the design and construction of a pressurized compartment for the spaceplane's occupants.[12]The company announced its intention to use a derivative of SOAR as a new high-speed passenger transport system instead of a space tourism vehicle. According to Pascal Jaussi, CEO of the corporation, "Far from wishing to launch into the space tourism market, we want rather to establish a new mode of air travel based on our satellite launch model that was planned to allow spaceports on different continents to be reached in an hour."[13]
Expansion[edit]
The company created multiple subsidiaries to support a network of launch and landing sites, with locations in the United States,United Arab Emirates,andCroatia.[5]
A subsidiary of the company, S3 USA Operations Inc, was formed in early 2014. The company planned to use the retiredSpace Shuttlelanding siteatKennedy Space Centerfor the operation of SOAR.[14]
In 2015, Swiss Space Systems announced a partnership with the financial institutionD&B Groupto create a joint subsidiary named S3 Middle East. This partnership, according to Satellite Today, was planned to allow the company to attempt SOAR launch certification in the United Arab Emirates.[15] In March 2016, Amin Forati opened a bank guarantee of US$30 million in favour of S3 through his company D&B Groups, but such a large sum failed to save S3 from bankruptcy.[citation needed]Forati in September fled Dubai and in November two criminal cases for fraud were opened in UAE against him.[citation needed]
References[edit]
- ^abSutherland, Paul (4 April 2013)."Swiss shuttle will be new satellite launcher".Sen.Retrieved5 November2015.
- ^Hammonds, Markus (5 April 2013)."Swiss Spaceplane Set to SOAR".Discovery News.Archived fromthe originalon 8 May 2015.Retrieved4 November2015.
- ^Bodner, Matthew (23 September 2014)."Swiss Space Startup Looks to Buy Russian Rocket Engines".The Moscow Times.Retrieved4 November2015.
- ^"Swiss Spaceplane Set to SOAR".Astronaut.7 April 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 20 April 2015.Retrieved4 November2015.
- ^abHenry, Caleb (18 February 2015)."Swiss Space Systems Opens Croatia Subsidiary, Plans Spaceport".Satellite Today.Via Satellite.Retrieved5 November2015.
- ^Coppinger, Rob (2 April 2015)."SOAR 'Mini-Shuttle' Rocket Plane To Launch By 2017, Swiss Space Systems Says".Huffington Post.Retrieved4 November2015.
- ^"Swiss Space in Konkurs geschickt".20 Minuten.Retrieved2016-12-16.
- ^Dawson, Chris (13 October 2015)."Swiss Space Systems preparing for a big 2016".BayToday.ca.Village Media.Retrieved4 November2015.
- ^Henry, Caleb (26 September 2014)."Swiss Space Systems Evaluates NK-39 Engine for SOAR SmallSat Vehicle".Satellite Today.Retrieved4 November2015.
- ^"Swiss SOAR Space Plane Project Expands Technical Partnerships".Explore Deep Space.26 September 2013.Retrieved4 November2015.
- ^Coppinger, Rob (3 October 2013)."Space Junk Cleanup Satellite Launching on Swiss Space Plane in 2018".Yahoo! News.ABC News Network.Retrieved4 November2015.
- ^Clark, Stephen (19 June 2013)."Swiss Rocket Plane May Launch People on Private Science Trips".Space.Retrieved4 November2015.
- ^Messier, Doug (17 June 2013)."Swiss Space Systems Announces Plans for Crewed Suborbital Spacecraft".Parabolic Arc.Retrieved4 November2015.
- ^Boucher, Mark (14 March 2014)."Swiss Space Systems Opens U.S. Subsidiary and Plans to use KSC Shuttle Landing Facility".SpaceRef Business.Archived fromthe originalon 3 August 2016.Retrieved4 November2015.
- ^Henry, Caleb (1 October 2015)."Swiss Space Systems Partners with D&B Group for Launches in the Middle East".Satellite Today.Retrieved4 November2015.