ALTAIR Project Achieves Successful Fly & Drop Demonstration at the Guiana Space Centre
The ALTAIR airborne launch system has successfully completed a series of demonstration flights at the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), marking a key milestone in the development of a reusable air-launch solution for small satellites.
During the campaign, the experimental ALTAIR vehicle successfully performed a “fly & drop” operation, releasing a model launcher in flight and validating core system functionalities.
A Reusable Airborne Launch Concept
ALTAIR (Air Launch Space Transportation using an Automated aircraft and an Innovative Rocket) is a concept for an airborne small satellite launch system developed by a European consortium including ONERA, CNES, GTD and other space industry partners.
The system is based on a reusable automated aircraft capable of carrying and releasing a launcher mid-flight. Unlike traditional vertical launches from ground-based pads, ALTAIR operates from an aerodrome, offering flexibility and potentially lower operational costs.
The demonstration flights were conducted from the Guiana Space Centre aerodrome, rather than from the Vega, Soyuz or Ariane launch pads.
Designed for the Growing Small Satellite Market
ALTAIR is designed to place satellites weighing between 50 and 150 kilograms into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at altitudes ranging from 400 to 1,000 kilometers.
This capability directly addresses the rapidly expanding small satellite and Earth observation market, where demand for flexible, responsive and cost-effective launch solutions continues to grow.
The project was developed under the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme (2014–2020), supporting innovation in European space transportation.
GTD’s Role in ALTAIR
GTD plays a critical role in the ALTAIR project, contributing significantly to both:
- On-board control subsystems and software
- Ground control systems and mission management software
Through its expertise in mission-critical aerospace systems, GTD supports the integration and validation of key control functionalities required for safe and reliable airborne launch operations.
A Potential Future Addition to Europe’s Launcher Fleet
Following the successful fly & drop demonstration, the ALTAIR concept could potentially attract interest from Arianespace as a complementary solution within Europe’s launcher portfolio.
By combining reusability, air-launch flexibility and small satellite capability, ALTAIR represents an innovative approach to future European access to space.
