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Launchers

The high cost of getting into orbit is a major obstacle for many small satellites. Smaller satellites are typically launched as secondary passengers, hitching a ride on a larger launcher with a larger payload. In recent years, as smaller satellites have become more popular and necessary, a number of small satellite launchers are being developed in particular for the mini (100-500kg) or medium sized satellite class (500-1000kg) spacecraft.

It has generally been the case that for microsatellites (10-100kg) it is more economical to launch on the larger launchers, where the prime payload has procured the launch, and employing the spare capacity does not incur significant additional costs. One exciting development to watch over the next few years is in low cost launchers such as the proposed Microcosm series, with projected costs into LEO an order of magnitude lower than currently available. The graphs below demonstrates the launcher share for small satellites for the period 1980-1999.

The links below give a brief description of the indicated launchers, and list which small satellites have been launched and in some cases how. Future launches of interest are also indicated.

General information

How small satellites are launched

Launcher classification

Launcher statistics

Launcher sites

Launcher links. (More general launcher links can be found on the SSHP Resources page).

Launchers

Ariane family and the ASAP
Athena (LLV)

Cosmos

Delta
Dnepr

MIR

Pegasus
PSLV
Rockot (Eurockot)

Scout

Shavit

Start

STS, Hitchiker and GAS

Taurus

Other launchers

Launcher descriptions