This may be more like a letter of intent that a firm order with financing to back it up.
What's the rest 245kg of the predicted capacity?
In general, Europeans don't do many space projects unless ESA is behind it.
That said, S3 is backed by relatively big players in the aerospace industry, otherwise I would not put much faith in it.
Swiss Space Systems plans to operate from the US as a MOU with the spaceport of Colorado was signed: http://www.s-3.ch/en/home/2013/10/08/spaceport-colorado-and-s3-sign-memorandum-of-understanding.
What is it about Colorado that attracts so many aerospace companies ?
Quote from: Lurker Steve on 10/09/2013 11:41 pmWhat is it about Colorado that attracts so many aerospace companies ?It's not California.
Quote from: QuantumG on 10/09/2013 11:58 pmQuote from: Lurker Steve on 10/09/2013 11:41 pmWhat is it about Colorado that attracts so many aerospace companies ?It's not California.That is probably reason number one if California is a bit much for you to take on a regular basis. There are several others reasons including the cost of living being less.. I've been to Colorado many times and it is a beautiful state. It also reached a critical mass with the number of aerospace workers. There is a good local talent pool. It also has the advantage that it isn't that far from California compared to anything east of there so it's not that difficult to work with California companies. Denver is also a major airline travel hub so it is fairly easy to get anywhere from there.
So has there been any more information released about the technical aspects (like stages) of this?
Quote from: Lars_J on 10/10/2013 12:21 amSo has there been any more information released about the technical aspects (like stages) of this?Nothing much except the promo video and flight plan. The winged 'orca' is suborbital and deploys apparently expendable upper stage.About the Colorado MoU, what are the chances that actual orbital launches are allowed from central US ? The danger zone paints across the continent, unlike up'n'down suborbital joyrides.
The U.S. Air Force Space Command was the center of operations during the Cold War at Peterson Air Force Base. Convair built their missiles in the state bringing in a large talent pool.