SOAR (spaceplane)
SOAR spaceplane rendering with Airbus A300 | |
| Function | Autonomous suborbital launch and landing |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Swiss Space Systems |
| Size | |
| Stages | Air-launched, one as fully reusable spacecraft or two as partially reusable spacecraft |
| Boosters | |
| Engines | NK-39 |
SOAR (Sub-Orbital Re-Usable Aircraft) was a planned partially reusable air-launched spaceplane launch system concept which would launch small satellites on a suborbital or orbital trajectory. The vehicle, derived from the Hermes spacecraft developed by the European Space Agency, was planned to be built, launched, and operated by Swiss Space Systems. The spaceplane was planned to launch from an Airbus A300 aircraft named S3 Zero Gravity Airliner. Once at altitude, the spaceplane would have separated from the aircraft and ignited an NK-39 engine developed by the Russian Federal Space Agency. After fuel depletion at about 80 kilometers altitude, the plane would release its payload before gliding back and landing on Earth.
The launch vehicle was planned to also have low Earth orbit capability when launched in conjunction with an expendable upper stage. Swiss Space Systems contracted the Russian firm RKK Energia to develop the upper stage. With an upper stage, the spacecraft was planned to be able to launch a 250-kilogram payload into orbit.
Swiss Space Systems claimed that the spaceplane could cost about one fourth as much as current suborbital launch costs. The spaceplane was targeted to have its first test launch by 2017. Following financial trouble, the company was declared bankrupt in a Swiss civil court, ending its operations.