Light-Gas Launch Services
Cut the Cost Per Pound to Launch Into Space
Green Launch uses a hydrogen and oxygen light-gas launcher, not a rocket. Our Green Express system targets $100 per pound to Low Earth Orbit.
- Green Express target: $100 per pound to Low Earth Orbit
- Hydrogen and oxygen fuel, water vapor is the only byproduct
- Mach 9 (2.97 km/sec) projectile velocity already demonstrated
Testing at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground since 2017, with over 91% propellant capture.
Prefer to talk? Call 619-933-6678
Talk to Green Launch About Payload Costs
Tell us about your payload and mission. Our team will review it and get back to you.
Why Light-Gas Launch Lowers Your Cost Per Pound
A $100 per pound target
The Green Express launcher is designed to deliver satellites, supplies and propellant to orbit at $100 per pound.
No rocket to throw away
A ground-based light-gas launcher does the work. There is no expensive first stage to build for every flight.
Zero carbon launches
The propellant is hydrogen and oxygen gas. The only byproduct is water vapor.
Proven high velocity
Projectile velocities of 2.97 km/sec (Mach 9) have been achieved with a one stage light-gas combustion system.
Propellant recovered, not wasted
Green Launch captured over 91% of the propellant in a demonstration contract, which also cuts muzzle flash and noise.
Built for frequent flights
The concept supports delivery to orbit in 10 minutes with launches every 60 to 90 minutes.
How Green Launch Drives Down Launch Cost
Green Launch, LLC was founded in 2017 to prove that light-gas propulsion can open low cost access to space. Instead of burning a rocket stage, a hydrogen cannon accelerates the payload down a launch tube. The gas does the work on the ground, so far less hardware flies away on every shot.
The company has run test programs at the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona since 2017. Those shots feed directly into the Green Express launcher, which is being developed to deliver small satellites, supplies and propellant to Low Earth Orbit.
- Green Express target price: $100 per pound to orbit, including propellant for space depots
- Mach 9 (2.97 km/sec) achieved with a one stage light-gas combustion system
- 12 successful horizontal test firings from December 2017 through March 2018
- Shots 14, 15 and 16 in April 2018 reached speeds up to 2 km/s
- First vertical launch on December 21, 2021 passed Mach 3 into the stratosphere
- 7-inch by 55-foot launch tube used for horizontal testing at Yuma Proving Ground
- Over 91% of propellant captured in a demonstration contract
- RF-transparent wound fiberglass vehicle bodies protect the antenna inside
Tested, Measured and Documented
“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.”
“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.”
“YPG is very helpful at keeping our costs under control so we can continue our testing. If we went somewhere else, we could never finish the sequence and the world would be denied this technology that is really very promising.”
What Happens Next
Send us your mission
Share your payload mass, target altitude or orbit, and what you need to prove.
We review the fit
Our team checks your requirements against our light-gas launcher and test programs at Yuma Proving Ground.
You get a program plan
We come back with an approach and pricing for your contract or test series.
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost per pound to launch into space with Green Launch?
The Green Express launcher is being developed to deliver payload to orbit at a target of $100 per pound. Green Express is still in development, so contact us and we will price your specific mission and service.
Can you launch my satellite to Low Earth Orbit today?
Orbital delivery with the Green Express launcher is in development. Today we perform hypersonic vehicle testing, sub-orbital payload delivery to the stratosphere and beyond, and atmospheric sampling.
Where do launches and tests take place?
All launch and test operations are conducted at the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. We serve customers across the United States.
How is this cheaper than a rocket?
A ground-based light-gas launcher uses hydrogen and oxygen gas to accelerate the payload, so you are not building and discarding a large rocket stage for every flight. We have also captured over 91% of the propellant in a demonstration contract.
Is the launch clean?
Yes. The propellant is hydrogen and oxygen gas, and the only byproduct is water vapor. That makes it a zero carbon emission launch.
How fast and how often can you launch?
The system concept supports delivery to orbit in 10 minutes with launches every 60 to 90 minutes. Schedules for your program are set when we scope your contract.
Get Pricing for Your Payload
Tell us your payload mass and target altitude or orbit. Our team will review your mission and come back with a plan and pricing.
- Green Express target: $100 per pound to Low Earth Orbit
- Hydrogen and oxygen fuel, water vapor is the only byproduct
- Mach 9 (2.97 km/sec) projectile velocity already demonstrated
Prefer to talk? Call 619-933-6678