The Race to Build a Smaller Rocket

The Race to Build a Smaller Rocket
Science Friday, 19 August 2016
http://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/the-race-to-build-a-smaller-rocket/

There’s a new space race afoot. You may not have heard of it because the competition is so much smaller than the one that took place between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1960s. And this time around, NASA isn’t even a contestant. Today’s space race is playing out among private companies competing to build tiny rockets.

Small Innovative Launcher for Europe

Small Innovative Launcher for Europe
small-launcher.eu, 5 August 2016
http://www.small-launcher.eu/
http://www.nlr.org/news/start-of-design-for-concept-innovative-launcher-for-europe-smile/

The objectives of the SMILE project are to design a concept for an innovative, cost-effective European launcher for small satellites up to 50 kg and a Europe-based launch facility at Andøya, Norway. SMILE targets both the market for education and in-orbit demonstration, and commercial, scientific and governmental missions. It is Europe’s ambition to gain independent access to space for small satellites.