ARCA introduced the EcoRocket, world's most cost-effective orbital launcher with a cost of $390,000/launch.
The reusable EcoRocket has a capability of 10kg to Low Earth Orbit and it's ARCA's answer to the European Commission's 10 million Euros prize that aims to stimulate the European Union's development of small orbital launchers.
EcoRocket will operate on the nano-micro satellites market. The global Small Satellite market size is projected to grow from $2,8 billion in 2020 to $7,1 billion by 2025.
The rocket uses a completely ecological, water-based first stage, built around the Launch Assist System technology developed and extensively tested by ARCA: https://youtu.be/WKHI5VXisEc
The second stage is using a hydrogen peroxide and kerosene propulsion system. Both stages are featuring the high efficiency aerospike rocket engine technology. By using the ecological first stage, the EcoRocket is reducing the use of polluting propellant with 70%.
EcoRocket aims to become a stepping stone towards the creation of a new generation of extremely cost effective and sustainable launch vehicles that is ARCA's alternative to the expensive current rockets that use polluting, explosive, volatile, toxic, carcinogenic fuels. In particular, ARCA will develop the EcoRocket Heavy that is the answer to Europe's need to replace the extremely expensive Soyuz, Ariane 5, 6 and Vega rockets that use polluting, toxic propulsion technology.
EcoRocket has a take-off mass of 4.4 tons and is 11 m tall. The first stage engine has a thrust of 11.3 tons, while the second stage has a thrust of 1.4 tons.
The rocket will fly under first stage's ecological propulsion for 40 seconds to an altitude of 8.5km and a speed of Mach 2.5. At this altitude the second stage ignites and in another 140 seconds takes the payload to a 200km circular orbit.
The burn of the second stage takes off for the vast majority of time above the Earth's atmosphere. While the second stage continues its flight to orbit, the first stage will descend back to Earth under its dedicated landing engine, on the same launch pad.
The EcoRocket first orbital flight is scheduled for June 2021.
