Mesosphere & Ionosphere Access
Atmospheric Sampling to the Mesosphere and Beyond
Green Launch uses a hydrogen/oxygen light-gas launcher to carry your sampling payload into the upper atmosphere. Clean propulsion. Low-cost repeat flights.
- Reach the mesosphere and ionosphere with sampling payloads
- RF-transparent fiberglass vehicles protect your antenna inside
- Hydrogen/oxygen propulsion with water vapor as the byproduct
Launch and test operations at the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.
Prefer to talk? Call 619-933-6678
Talk to us about your sampling mission
Tell us about your payload and the altitude you need. Our team will get back to you.
Why researchers choose light-gas launch for sampling
Access a hard-to-reach region
Scientists have very limited access to the mesosphere and ionosphere. Our vehicles are designed and tested to carry instruments into that region.
Zero-carbon propulsion
We launch with hydrogen and oxygen gas. The only byproduct is water vapor, so your sampling flight does not add carbon to the air you study.
Built for low-cost repeat flights
Low-cost launches are the core of our approach, so a sampling campaign can involve more shots instead of one rare and costly flight.
RF-transparent vehicle bodies
Wound specialized fiberglass is light and very strong in compression during launch. It is transparent to RF, so the antenna stays protected inside.
Proven test range
Flights are conducted at the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, where we have run launch series since 2017.
Physics-led team
Dr. John W. Hunter, our Chief Technical Officer, led the SHARP project at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
How our atmospheric sampling service works
Green Launch uses a light-gas launcher, sometimes called a hydrogen cannon, to accelerate a payload vehicle up through the atmosphere. Hydrogen and oxygen gas are burned in a combustion chamber and the pressure drives the vehicle down the launch tube. There is no chemical rocket stage and no carbon exhaust.
Sub-orbital payloads and atmospheric sampling are a strong focus for our launch series at Yuma Proving Ground. The same low-cost flights build the foundation for the Green Express launcher, which is being developed to deliver satellites and supplies to Low Earth Orbit.
- Sampling of the mesosphere to provide data to climatologists
- Ionosphere access for communication, navigation and surveillance R&D
- Sampling vehicles designed and tested for this region of the atmosphere
- Wound fiberglass bodies: low weight, strong in compression, transparent to RF
- Vertical launch demonstrated December 21, 2021, exceeding Mach 3 into the stratosphere
- Launch tube used in vertical testing is 54 feet long; horizontal testing uses a 7-inch x 55-foot tube
- Over 91% of the propellant captured, which reduces muzzle flash and acoustic signature
- The National Science Foundation was a near-term customer in 2022 for mesosphere sampling
Tested, measured and documented
“Green Launch has demonstrated one of the most significant advancements in the efficiency and sustainability of launch technology. As part of a demonstration contract, Green Launch has captured over 91% of the propellant for a light-gas launcher.”
“Green Launch is currently exploring the velocity maximum of a one stage light-gas combustion system. With a combustion chamber containing light-gas fuel, oxidizer and multiple igniters, launch projectile velocities of 2.97 km/sec (Mach 9) have been achieved.”
What happens after you contact us
Tell us your mission
Share your instrument, payload mass, target altitude and the data you need to collect.
Technical review
Our team reviews the vehicle design, launch profile and range requirements at Yuma Proving Ground.
Program proposal
We come back with a scope and quote for your sampling flight or launch series.
Frequently asked questions
What altitudes can you sample?
Our service targets the mesosphere and ionosphere, and we deliver sub-orbital payloads to the stratosphere and beyond. On our first vertical launch in December 2021 the payload exceeded Mach 3. Tell us your target altitude and we will confirm what is possible for your payload.
How much does an atmospheric sampling launch cost?
Pricing depends on your payload, vehicle design and the number of shots in your campaign. We work on a contract and program basis, so send us your mission details and we will prepare a quote.
Will the launch environment damage my instruments?
Our vehicle bodies use wound specialized fiberglass that is light and very strong in compression during launch, and the material is transparent to RF so an antenna can ride protected inside. Share your instrument details and we will review the design with you.
Where do launches take place?
All of our launch and test operations are conducted at the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. We serve U.S. defense, government and commercial aerospace customers. We do not offer launch services outside the United States.
Is this really a zero-carbon launch?
We use hydrogen and oxygen gas as propellant. The only byproduct is water vapor, which is why we describe it as a zero-carbon-emission launch.
Who do you work with?
Our customers are defense and aerospace organizations, satellite makers, national labs, universities and government science agencies. The National Science Foundation was a near-term customer in 2022 for mesosphere sampling.
Get your sampling payload into the upper atmosphere
Send us your payload and altitude requirements. Our team will review the mission and come back with a launch plan and quote.
- Reach the mesosphere and ionosphere with sampling payloads
- RF-transparent fiberglass vehicles protect your antenna inside
- Hydrogen/oxygen propulsion with water vapor as the byproduct
Prefer to talk? Call 619-933-6678