Sea Launch, Wave of the Future?
Land-based launches have been the norm for space launches since the beginning of spaceflight.
They have their limitations such as population proximity, safety concerns and performance loss depending upon their location on Earth (with respect to the most efficient launches being from the equator, where the most velocity assist is provided by the Earth’s rotation).
*Virgin Galactic overflies its base of operation at Spaceport America.
Sea launches might solve these issues, as well as other issues such as propellant production, population proximity and legal issues inherent in land-based launches.
Maybe now is the time that sea launches arise from the abyss?
Ocean-based over a conventional land-based launch platform
Recently there have been a number of news items related to the concept of floating spaceports or rocket launches and how these could become a lot more common in the future.
On September 15, 2020, China announced a second successful space launch using their Long March 11 from their "Eastern Aerospace Port" off the coast of the eastern province of Shandong.
Once fully operational, it will be able to produce 20 solid propellant launch vehicles per year and it will be used to launch light vehicles, as well as for building and maintaining rockets and satellites, and related space applications.
Other entrants to the sea-based space launch arena are the Federation of German Industries (BDI), SpaceX, UK based Black Arrow Space Technologies and Russian based S7 Sea Launch.
*China’s ‘Eastern Aerospace Port’ launching the Long March 11.
The idea of sea launch is not new and early 1960 some studies were developed by the Moscow-based KBTM design bureau come out with different designs:
- Single command and transport ship
- A floating semi-submerged platform
- A stationary self-lifting platform
- A dual-body ship launcher
- A semi-submerged self-propelled platform
Around the late 1990s, the ‘Sea Launch’ project was developed which started as a multinational enterprise of Boeing and Energia of Russia, with Norwegian and Ukrainian backers.
Despite an enormous amount of challenges, they managed to carry out 36 GEO Satellite launches, of which 32 were successful.
Sadly, due to a number of technical, bureaucratic, political and financial problems in 2014 the launch activity was paused.
Only in 2017, Energia closed the settlement agreement with Boeing over a Sea Launch lawsuit. Since the ‘Sea Launch’ command ship and floating platform were in the Port of Long Beach California, the US removed all equipment as part of the legal settlement.
However, in September of 2020 it was announced that Sea Launch was going to be restored at cost of about USD 470 million with the intent to use the Sea Launch space complex for Soyuz-5 and Soyuz-6 rocket missions by Roscosmos, Russia’s state space corporation.
*Sea Launch Zenit at Lift-off.
*Sea Launch Cut Away of Ships.
*Sea Launch Command and Launch Ships at port.
Space launches at sea simply mean taking the infrastructure of land-based launches and making them float.
The elements needed are a launchpad, servicing facilities (hangarage), propellant production, loading facilities and a launch control centre.
Some of the advantages to sea-based space launches (from the equator) are an increase in Delta-v, which is the energy required to place payloads into space, noise mitigation and public safety.
Potential operating modes could include remotely controlled mechanisms the erect, fuel and power the vehicle via umbilical cords.
Existing sea-based launchers
Black Arrow Space Technologies – British based launch company will be marketed under ‘Horizon Sea Launch’
The spaceport, of course, will have two distinct parts: the dockside facilities; and the seaborne segment.
To achieve a seamless functionality, the two sides must be compatible in every sense – the dockside must be tailor-made for the seaborne segment; in dimension, utilisation; service; and operation.
The seaborne part can berth in any suitable facility: to receive fuel, supplies, or support services.
However, for all launch-related issues, the dockside part is the only pure interface. You can depart from the centre of operations in Wales (Port Talbot) or Ireland (Co. Cork) in the West direction, out to 50 miles at sea.
Then use land-based tracking radar in Ireland or Scotland.
*Black Arrow Space Technologies launch concept.
The advantages of sea-based space launches are:
• Reduced risk to the public, in the event of a booster failure.
• Reduced noise/sonic damage to surrounding communities.
• Increased payload capacity due to extra velocity from launching at the equator.
*Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Table.
SpaceX
SpaceX has plans for sea launches using Starship/Super Heavy. Both stages use methalox, propellants that could be produced at sea.
Increased launch and recovery are possible as the first stage lands back at the pad.
Passenger intercontinental flights are also planned from major cities that could reduce transit times from 8-16 hours to under 1 hour.
Launch land, recover, restack would increase the frequency and decrease costs.
*SpaceX Falcon 9 landing on a drone ship.
*SpaceX Falcon 9 return to launch site from a recovery at sea.
Blue Origin
Blue Origin recently purchased a Roll On, Roll Off (RORO) ship to recover its New Glenn booster, at sea.
The name of the vessel is the Landing Platform Vehicle ‘LPV’. It features hydrodynamic stabilisation, which would allow the booster to be recovered in rough seas.
The LPV is slated to become operational in 2021.
*Blue Origin New Glenn recovery at sea on the LPV.
Stability of the launchpad? Anchor to the seafloor or large enough surface area to null waves.
Launch Safety Zones
In the event of a booster failure in a super heavy-lift class, the Safety Exclusion Zone (SEZ) is at least 5 miles.
Expanding out to 20 miles when you consider the massively destructive sound waves produced.
In the event of a Super Heavy booster failure on the pad at Boca Chica, Texas, the nearby town of Port Isabel is in jeopardy.
The metroplex cities of Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico are within 20 miles. The evacuation of nearby Port Isabel for daily launces is not technically feasible.
*SpaceX Boca Chica Safety Exclusion Zone (SEZ).
Bigger is better
The largest driver for space launches is cost. Smaller boosters tend to be more expensive, in terms of price per kg into orbit.
Table of comparison launch costs to LEO.
SpaceX, Blue Origin and NASA are building ‘super heavy-lift’ boosters because of this fact.
SpaceX is already developing the technology for space using sea-based operations in the form of recovering their Falcon booster and fairings as well as launching their next-generation Starship launcher from a pontoon located offshore.
NASA will recover their SLS Solid Rocket Boosters at sea, as was the case during the Shuttle program. However, the central stage will be thrown away.
Perhaps the ultimate iteration of sea launches was Sea Dragon. A ‘big, dumb booster’ concept with its origins in the 1960s. A rocket, built in a shipyard that was floated to the launch site.
Filled with propellants made at sea (Hydrogen and Oxygen) and required no launchpad. Sea Dragon was capable of lifting 550,000 kg at a cost of USD 500 per pound into LEO. It removes the need for sea-based launchpads.
Summary
The concept of sea-based space launches is almost 60 years old. The technology already exists and there is now market demand.
Companies like Sea Launch, SpaceX, Black Arrow Space Technologies and Blue Origin are already investing in sea/space technologies, with Sea Launch having a launch pedigree.
If the trend for future launch vehicles is bigger, then the sea presents, perhaps, the only viable option.
Given the fact that SpaceX and Blue Origin are now planning to operate vessels at sea to launch and recover boosters, this points the way to heavy lift, reusable boosters.
Given some of the constraints that surround a land spaceport and the fact that launch vehicles are getting bigger, now is the time to invest in the future of sea launches.
*SpaceX Starship/Superheavy launch at sea concept.
*Sea Dragon float to launch site, orientation and launch.
Authors:
Adele Gammarano
Adele possesses a strong passion for the UK Space Industry and this forms part of her long-term career strategy plan. She is studying with great interest in the development of Spaceports and in her spare time, Adele loves to be involved in networking events like SpaceMates and carrying out her own research. She has recently published an article: ‘A smooth transition to Spaceports’ featured in the CAPCOM Magazine in September 2020.
Adele is an enthusiastic advocate of Women in Aviation and Aerospace and the promotion of equitable and inclusive workplaces by empowering, inspiring and nurturing role models.
Robert Wilson
Robert has flown professionally for 20 years around the world and is involved in aviation operational roles.
Ever since he built model rockets at 10 years of age, Robert has expressed a keen interest in Aerospace and Astronomy.
At the dawn of the second space race, perhaps it is time to trade an aeroplane for a rocket?
Ray Stott
Ray brings over 30+ years’ expertise working in the global Space Industry ranging from satellite fuelling, satellite Assembly, Integration & Testing (AIT) and managing spacecraft teams during environmental testing/launch site operations, working with astronauts and training for the SPDM/DEXTRE robotic arm attached to the Canadarm2 on the International Space Station (ISS).
Ray has an extensive global space network and associated business skills and has met and been involved with a wide variety of space-related companies and organisations.
Ray is working with Adele and Robert recognising their passion and interest in the space sector. He is actively reviewing and analysing their transferrable skills from the aviation sector that applies to current and future opportunities in the space sector.
Blog written by Adele Gammarano, Robert Wilson and Ray Stott
1 Response