Black Arrow Space Technologies will be able to launch payloads of up to 500Kg into Polar Low Earth Orbit, or 300Kg into Sun Synchronous Orbit, or smaller multiple payloads on the same mission.  Our system is designed to scale up so that, after initial demonstration, we will be able to increase our payload and performance capabilities.

Our launch programme will be flexible, frequent, reliable and responsive.  We will plan our schedule to meet the specific needs of our launch customers – and this includes responding to short notice, urgent requests to launch.  We will be able to prioritise and fast track launches without adversely impacting on previously agreed schedules.

Launches will take place from the optimal location to achieve the required orbit for the payload – from our seaborne spaceport.

Terrestrial Spaceports are usually sited in the most ideal place for space operations.  Sometimes, geography may limit these locations, by restricting the ability to achieve the orbit required for a particular mission; adding environmental implications for the local environment (not least the noise impact on the neighbours); and placing limitations on the trajectory (or line-of-sight) due to populations or national infrastructure below the preferred flight path, or disruption of commercial airway corridors.

Launching from a stabilised sea platform enables the launch to take place from the optimal location to achieve the required orbit, with significant reductions on the fuel required to achieve that orbit (no mid-course adjustments); minimises the concerns about environmental and noise impact on local populations, protected sites and wildlife; and enables more safety in trajectory planning without overflying populated areas.

It offers great savings without having the costs of creating a land-based infrastructure, lowers insurance costs, and provides increased cost and time efficiencies through unrestricted campaigns.

In some cases, we could even beat the weather!

Our fleet will be based in South Wales, where final payload preparation will take place prior to boarding the vessel and sailing to the launch site.  Ultimately, we aim to have ships based in key locations across the world so that we can offer a truly global launch service.