AstroX, a private Japanese enterprise, is developing a novel experiment involving the launch of a rocket directly from the stratosphere, facilitated by a high-altitude balloon.
The initial trial is scheduled for December, during which a 5-meter rocket will be ascended to an altitude of 20–25 kilometers by a balloon approximately 100 meters in diameter. Subsequently, the rocket will initiate its ascent, aiming to reach roughly 100 kilometers above the Earth’s surface.
The project is slated for execution over the ocean in the vicinity of Fukushima Prefecture. The company posits that this delivery method offers substantial cost reductions by eliminating the need for extensive ground-based launch facilities. Looking ahead, AstroX intends to leverage this technology for the commercial deployment of microsatellites into orbit, commencing in the 2030s.
Prior to the main demonstration, the company will conduct a series of preliminary tests. These will encompass verifying the balloon launch sequence and testing engine ignition within the stratosphere.
Should these efforts prove successful, the maiden launch of a small satellite using this technique could occur in fiscal year 2029. AstroX subsequently anticipates achieving a launch cadence of up to 50 missions annually.
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