ATLANTA, October 25, 2011 – Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc. (Generation Orbit or GO) announced operation today as a new venture dedicated to the creation of a fast, flexible, and dedicated nanosatellite (1-30 kg) orbital payload delivery service. The service, called GO Launcher, will use existing high-speed jet aircraft and mostly existing rockets. Generation Orbit was officially announced today at the 2011 Commercial and Government Responsive Access to Space Technology Exchange (CRASTE) conference being held in Atlanta, GA.
GO is developing a new United States-designed and operated nanosatellite launch system called GO Launcher, an air-launch rocket architecture composed of an existing, reusable high-speed aircraft launch platform and expendable rocket stages. GO Launcher is designed to reduce the time it takes to get to space (under the mantra of “Your Orbit, On Time”) for the emerging field of nanosatellite customers.
“There are an estimated 250 nanosatellite projects globally today with market projections showing about 100 nanosatellites per year that will need launches in the latter part of this decade. The nanosatellite wave is real and is upon us. Yet these types of satellites currently have to launch as secondary payloads. GO is going to change that, giving these small satellites the freedom to launch when they want and to choose their orbit,” stated Mr. A.C. Charania, CEO of Generation Orbit. “GO Launcher presents a near-term, low tech approach for a growing class of customer. GO is bringing together a focused and capable team of aerospace and aeronautical experts including aerospace launch vehicle designers, former military fighter pilots, aircraft operators, and rocket system developers. We look forward to utilizing the significant aerospace technical expertise within our firm and its partners to develop a responsive nanosatellite transport service for government, commercial, academic, and international customers.”
Two service lines are planned: GO Launcher 1 (GO1) and GO Launcher 2 (GO2). GO1 is an initial demonstrator utilizing mostly existing solid rockets. GO1 could mature into an operational capability in the 1-10 kg class (LEO payload delivery capability, 250 km circular orbit). GO2 is a larger operational system than GO1 that offers a minimum payload delivery service in the 20-30 kg class (LEO payload delivery capability, 450 km circular orbit) with the potential for future growth. GO2 benefits from the experience gained from GO1 to reduce overall risk and prove the “Your Orbit Your Time” fast operations model. GO2 would also include options for inclusion of new technologies.
The initial concepts for GO1 and GO2 involve use of an existing air launch carrier aircraft, either in the “fighter” jet class (F-15D, Su-27, F-4 Phantom II) or in the business jet class (Gulfstream II, Gulfstream III). GO is examining various test and operational launch sites for its service including NASA Wallops Flight Facility/Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC)/Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, and Cecil Field Spaceport.
News and information can be found on the Internet at www.generationorbit.com.
About Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc.
Generation Orbit Launch Services, Inc. (Generation Orbit or GO) is a nanosatellite orbital payload delivery service company. GO has offices in Atlanta, GA and Washington, DC. GO is privately held.
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