Equatorial Space Industries

[SimonGw]

And their plan is to star the fly before end 2019 

Slipped to 2021: https://equatorialspace.com/?page_id=3446

... and to 2023:

Edinburgh, 23 September 2021. – Innova Space, the Argentinian satellite development and operations company will use Equatorial Space Systems as the launch service provider for its pico satellite constellation, Equatorial Space announced.

The constellation will provide Internet of Things (IoT) services globally.

The agreement includes up to two launches per year to fully deploy Innova’s satellite network. Equatorial Space is “on track to begin revenue services” with their Volans launcher by 2023, CEO Simon Gwozdz said.

https://spacewatch.global/2021/09/equatorial-space-and-innova-space-join-forces/

Looks like this is one of those ever "we will launch in two years" companies.

You want someone to complain about? Go after any established player who's screwing over investors in developed ecosystems where money's easy and test site opportunities abound.

Or well, you can always start your own propulsion business with a grand total of USD 3.5k in initial capital (most of what I had to my name back then), keep it running throughout some of the toughest covid restrictions on Earth and still manage to do a first launch in the region.

All with less than half a million bucks in total funding till then (which is nothing in this industry) and while being practically homeless. We will see how well can you stick to self-imposed, voluntary deadlines.

We are busting our asses off day and night to build a launcher company in a region that has zero real commercial rocket propulsion activity. We fight against all obstacles imaginable and you should be more than aware of the realities in Southeast Asia's space tech, since you're so well opinionated.

[PM3]

All with less than half a million bucks in total funding till then (which is nothing in this industry) and while being practically homeless. We will see how well can you stick to self-imposed, voluntary deadlines.

This confirms that it will not launch in 2023. Completing the development of an orbital rocket needs more than 100 times of that money.

[Todd Martin]

Timeframes in spaceflight are always dependent on a variety of factors and often take longer than fans would like.  New booster development is not for the faint of heart as there is risk.  What I see here that is noteworthy and exciting are:  1) opening spaceflight service in a new part of the world, 2) developing a higher performance, more cost effective and safer hybrid motor design, 3) the work being done by a knowledgeable propulsion engineer who knows what he is talking about. 

As a hobby here in the U.S., I like to launch "high power" rockets (using Aerotech motors).  I wonder if any of this technology could be downsized for the hobby market?  If so, this could be a way to raise funds.

[SimonGw]

Timeframes in spaceflight are always dependent on a variety of factors and often take longer than fans would like.  New booster development is not for the faint of heart as there is risk.  What I see here that is noteworthy and exciting are:  1) opening spaceflight service in a new part of the world, 2) developing a higher performance, more cost effective and safer hybrid motor design, 3) the work being done by a knowledgeable propulsion engineer who knows what he is talking about. 

As a hobby here in the U.S., I like to launch "high power" rockets (using Aerotech motors).  I wonder if any of this technology could be downsized for the hobby market?  If so, this could be a way to raise funds.

Thank you Sir...

It is indeed a rather challenging field in brutal times, but I was lucky to get Jamie and the other team members (including three new senior engineers) onboard along that time - that's how we can punch above our own weight. I can also share that at long last we have some real funding in the pipeline.

Speaking of high-powered rocketry, we do in fact manufacture a kit called SPARK (Student Payload Academic Rocket Kit) that uses paraffin-based fuel (not the HRF-1 solid fuel that's meant for actual launch products) that we market to academic groups. It can be practical for Cansat launches for up to 4 kilometers, and we have sold it to clients in India and Singapore so far.

We haven't quite gotten it up to manufacturing at scale so it is rather pricey compared to most high power products, but it is also devoid of pyrotechnic devices (including for the chute deployment) which makes it the only legal opportunity for student groups in much of the world to actually get their hands on and launch some Cansats without going through military channels.

Cheers.

[Danderman]

It’s tough to meet deadlines in this business. I would suggest using events based, rather time based scheduling.

First orbital launch: 18 months from first suborbital flight to 100 km.

First suborbital flight to 100 km: 12 month after first full duration burn for the first stage.

Something like that. If a company were to lay out their schedule like that, it would be very informative.

[Craftyatom]

And their plan is to star the fly before end 2019 

Slipped to 2021: https://equatorialspace.com/?page_id=3446

... and to 2023:

Edinburgh, 23 September 2021. – Innova Space, the Argentinian satellite development and operations company will use Equatorial Space Systems as the launch service provider for its pico satellite constellation, Equatorial Space announced.

The constellation will provide Internet of Things (IoT) services globally.

The agreement includes up to two launches per year to fully deploy Innova’s satellite network. Equatorial Space is “on track to begin revenue services” with their Volans launcher by 2023, CEO Simon Gwozdz said.

https://spacewatch.global/2021/09/equatorial-space-and-innova-space-join-forces/

Looks like this is one of those ever "we will launch in two years" companies.

You want someone to b*tch about? Go after spinlaunch or anyone else who's screwing over investors in developed ecosystems where money's easy and test site opportunities abound.

Or well, you can always start your own propulsion business with a grand total of USD 3.5k in initial capital (most of what I had to my name back then), keep it running throughout some of the toughest covid restrictions on Earth and still manage to do a first launch in the region.

All with less than half a million bucks in total funding till then (which is nothing in this industry) and while being practically homeless. We will see how well can you stick to self-imposed, voluntary deadlines.

We are busting our asses off day and night to build a launcher company in a region that has zero real commercial rocket propulsion activity. We fight against all obstacles imaginable and you should be more than aware of the realities in Southeast Asia's space tech, since you're so well opinionated.

This thread is an attempt to collect and discuss all information relevant to Equatorial Space Industries.  As founder of said enterprise, your presence is an excellent way to add more of that information.  And indeed, this post has a lot of information.  Unfortunately, it is not the type of information that inspires confidence - in multiple ways.

I will attempt to refrain from exacerbating the issue with any combative terminology, but please be aware that discussion of a critic (as well as their merit relative to you) is in general irrelevant to their criticism.  Additionally, excuses - even good ones - are a form of criticism acceptance, not refutation.  The industry has had to accept that COVID is delaying everything.  Unforeseeable delays and overruns happen, but they mean very little when discussing future prospects, except perhaps as a warning to temper expectations.

I look forward to hearing more updates, even if they are delayed, by external or internal factors.

This confirms that it will not launch in 2023. Completing the development of an orbital rocket needs more than 100 times of that money.

I believe there is still debate over the absolute minimum viable orbital rocket development, so I wouldn't say with certainty that an orbital rocket couldn't be developed for less than 100x that.  And investment is often non-linear, so it may take less time than expected to arrive at that amount.  That said, I would certainly agree that an orbital launch attempt in 2023 seems rather unlikely.

[Sushifoxx]

I was wondering is it possible to launch from Mapur Island just off the coast of Bintan? Launching from there could be possible because there is about 400km downrange before hitting the coast of Malaysia? If not they can launch slightly southwards at about 30° inclination?
Also what is the status of the Mid-Altitude Demonstrator? ESS’s website says it was supposed to launch in Q2 this year but obviously that time has come and went.

[CameronD]

I was wondering is it possible to launch from Mapur Island just off the coast of Bintan? Launching from there could be possible because there is about 400km downrange before hitting the coast of Malaysia? If not they can launch slightly southwards at about 30° inclination?

Other than being surrounded by some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world (with both pirates and unruly local fishing craft weaving unpredictably in and out of your exclusion zones) and a somewhat limited range of inclinations, it seems perfectly reasonable to me.  It'll be interesting to see if anyone considers it.

[Sushifoxx]

I was wondering is it possible to launch from Mapur Island just off the coast of Bintan? Launching from there could be possible because there is about 400km downrange before hitting the coast of Malaysia? If not they can launch slightly southwards at about 30° inclination?

Other than being surrounded by some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world (with both pirates and unruly local fishing craft weaving unpredictably in and out of your exclusion zones) and a somewhat limited range of inclinations, it seems perfectly reasonable to me.  It'll be interesting to see if anyone considers it.

I guess you are right. I mean any place near Singapore is extremely busy. But considering all this, this is probably the only place that can be considered for a launch site. If the rocket is built in Singapore, you would only need to ship it a short distance there. It is also a safe distance from any civilisation.

[Sushifoxx]

I was wondering is it possible to launch from Mapur Island just off the coast of Bintan? Launching from there could be possible because there is about 400km downrange before hitting the coast of Malaysia? If not they can launch slightly southwards at about 30° inclination?

Other than being surrounded by some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world (with both pirates and unruly local fishing craft weaving unpredictably in and out of your exclusion zones) and a somewhat limited range of inclinations, it seems perfectly reasonable to me.  It'll be interesting to see if anyone considers it.

I guess you are right. I mean any place near Singapore is extremely busy. But considering all this, this is probably the only place that can be considered for a launch site. If the rocket is built in Singapore, you would only need to ship it a short distance there. It is also a safe distance from any civilisation.

After doing some research, launching from Mapur Island may be the only way to get to orbit while having a launch site close enough to Singapore. The whole rocket could maybe be shipped there but I don’t know… Very little space to launch though, maybe a southern launch is possible too, but unlikely. The Riau Islands to the northeast is also a challenge that may be faced launching from Mapur

[Sushifoxx]

I was wondering is it possible to launch from Mapur Island just off the coast of Bintan? Launching from there could be possible because there is about 400km downrange before hitting the coast of Malaysia? If not they can launch slightly southwards at about 30° inclination?

Other than being surrounded by some of the busiest shipping lanes in the world (with both pirates and unruly local fishing craft weaving unpredictably in and out of your exclusion zones) and a somewhat limited range of inclinations, it seems perfectly reasonable to me.  It'll be interesting to see if anyone considers it.

I guess you are right. I mean any place near Singapore is extremely busy. But considering all this, this is probably the only place that can be considered for a launch site. If the rocket is built in Singapore, you would only need to ship it a short distance there. It is also a safe distance from any civilisation.

After doing some research, launching from Mapur Island may be the only way to get to orbit while having a launch site close enough to Singapore. Very little space to launch though, maybe a southern launch is possible too, but unlikely. The Riau Islands to the northeast is also a challenge that may be faced launching from Mapur

Another option could be the Cocos(Keeling) Island that is much further south, but allows for a much more low inclination launch, and if needed a retrograde launch too. Cocos Island also belongs to Australia which is more welcoming to private space agencies than Indonesia. Cocos Island also has an airport meaning we can fly in rocket parts. While writing this I realized that if Cocos Island is turned into a space port, it could be the asian/australian version of Omelek Island that SpaceX used lol

[Sushifoxx]

Actually... might as well use Omelek Island because there is already existing infrastructure there. But then we need to fly AND ship the rocket which may cost more than just choosing one or the other.

[CameronD]

Actually... might as well use Omelek Island because there is already existing infrastructure there. But then we need to fly AND ship the rocket which may cost more than just choosing one or the other.

Or use Southern Launch's facility in South Australia - which is closer.

[SimonGw]

I was wondering is it possible to launch from Mapur Island just off the coast of Bintan? Launching from there could be possible because there is about 400km downrange before hitting the coast of Malaysia? If not they can launch slightly southwards at about 30° inclination?
Also what is the status of the Mid-Altitude Demonstrator? ESS’s website says it was supposed to launch in Q2 this year but obviously that time has come and went.

Hi Sushifoxx,

In theory yes, and the ranges that could be are not necessarily in busier areas than Vandenberg re: sea and air traffic.

That said from my past 5 years of experience it's unlikely, and i mean very, very unlikely that either ourselves or any other entity would be launching in the region anytime soon. There's a few principal reasons behind that.

Indonesia does not have a complete launch regulatory framework for commercial entities in place and is, afaik, not interested in any other site than Biak which has its own share of delays. Considering the dual-use nature of this tech, it is also heavily politicized - let's just say even a small launch we did in Malaysia two years ago got some people in influential positions a little worried.

All our upcoming TRL launches will be done from Australia and the US, and commercial ones possibly from a few more sites . Sadly in the last few years there has been not much activity in the sector in the region so it remains to be seen if we'll be doing launch ops anywhere nearer to Singapore than down under.

Regarding the delays behind MAD, indeed - we're in full-time fundraising mode and let's just say the VC/PE markets are a little tight, especially with launch companies. We still hope for it to happen by the end of the year.

[SimonGw]

And their plan is to star the fly before end 2019 

Slipped to 2021: https://equatorialspace.com/?page_id=3446

... and to 2023:

Edinburgh, 23 September 2021. – Innova Space, the Argentinian satellite development and operations company will use Equatorial Space Systems as the launch service provider for its pico satellite constellation, Equatorial Space announced.

The constellation will provide Internet of Things (IoT) services globally.

The agreement includes up to two launches per year to fully deploy Innova’s satellite network. Equatorial Space is “on track to begin revenue services” with their Volans launcher by 2023, CEO Simon Gwozdz said.

https://spacewatch.global/2021/09/equatorial-space-and-innova-space-join-forces/

Looks like this is one of those ever "we will launch in two years" companies.

You want someone to b*tch about? Go after spinlaunch or anyone else who's screwing over investors in developed ecosystems where money's easy and test site opportunities abound.

Or well, you can always start your own propulsion business with a grand total of USD 3.5k in initial capital (most of what I had to my name back then), keep it running throughout some of the toughest covid restrictions on Earth and still manage to do a first launch in the region.

All with less than half a million bucks in total funding till then (which is nothing in this industry) and while being practically homeless. We will see how well can you stick to self-imposed, voluntary deadlines.

We are busting our asses off day and night to build a launcher company in a region that has zero real commercial rocket propulsion activity. We fight against all obstacles imaginable and you should be more than aware of the realities in Southeast Asia's space tech, since you're so well opinionated.

This thread is an attempt to collect and discuss all information relevant to Equatorial Space Industries.  As founder of said enterprise, your presence is an excellent way to add more of that information.  And indeed, this post has a lot of information.  Unfortunately, it is not the type of information that inspires confidence - in multiple ways.

I will attempt to refrain from exacerbating the issue with any combative terminology, but please be aware that discussion of a critic (as well as their merit relative to you) is in general irrelevant to their criticism.  Additionally, excuses - even good ones - are a form of criticism acceptance, not refutation.  The industry has had to accept that COVID is delaying everything.  Unforeseeable delays and overruns happen, but they mean very little when discussing future prospects, except perhaps as a warning to temper expectations.

I look forward to hearing more updates, even if they are delayed, by external or internal factors.

This confirms that it will not launch in 2023. Completing the development of an orbital rocket needs more than 100 times of that money.

I believe there is still debate over the absolute minimum viable orbital rocket development, so I wouldn't say with certainty that an orbital rocket couldn't be developed for less than 100x that.  And investment is often non-linear, so it may take less time than expected to arrive at that amount.  That said, I would certainly agree that an orbital launch attempt in 2023 seems rather unlikely.

Hi Craftyatom,

Regarding the timing, 2023 is gone by now. Our current goal is to attempt first orbital launch within 36 months from the next funding round.

[Sushifoxx]

New Volans variant! Now reusable! I wonder did they get any ideas from the Roton rocket?

[Tywin]

https://twitter.com/EquatorialSpace/status/1479377039039758339

[catdlr]

DORADO Sneak Preview

Feb 13, 2023
Named after the swordfish constellation, DORADO is an upcoming family of sounding rockets under development by Equatorial Space for science, technology demonstration and academic missions.

Designed to deliver payload of 25kg to apogees of 105km and 250km for the single-stage and two-stage version respectively, DORADO features a recoverable payload module and is poised to become the first commercial sounding rocket manufactured in Southeast Asia.

Slated for first development flight in mid 2024, DORADO will be propelled by our H300 hybrid motor using chilled Nitrous Oxide (cNOX) as well as our patent-pending HRF-1AL solid fuel which delivers superior regression rates, mechanical properties and density to other solutions available in the market.

[catdlr]

HRF1-AL SUB SCALE QUALIFICATION TEST

Feb 24, 2023
NOX/HRF-1AL tested with a swirl injector.

[SimonGw]

And their plan is to star the fly before end 2019 

Slipped to 2021: https://equatorialspace.com/?page_id=3446

... and to 2023:

Edinburgh, 23 September 2021. – Innova Space, the Argentinian satellite development and operations company will use Equatorial Space Systems as the launch service provider for its pico satellite constellation, Equatorial Space announced.

The constellation will provide Internet of Things (IoT) services globally.

The agreement includes up to two launches per year to fully deploy Innova’s satellite network. Equatorial Space is “on track to begin revenue services” with their Volans launcher by 2023, CEO Simon Gwozdz said.

https://spacewatch.global/2021/09/equatorial-space-and-innova-space-join-forces/

Looks like this is one of those ever "we will launch in two years" companies.

Hi PM3, 

If you're still active on this forum, I'd like to offer an apology for my outburst last year - the times were exceptionally tough, but that does not justify one bit accosting a fellow space professional/enthusiast who raised very valid concerns about us.

I should've been better, I'm sorry about that. If you ever happen to pass by Singapore, I'd would be glad to get you a beer.