Sidereus has developed and is currently testing EOS: a fully reusable orbital launch vehicle for small satellites and payloads. EOS is an extremely versatile SSTO: it can be launched from anywhere, anytime, with zero or minimal launch infrastructures required. It is capable to deploy small satellites to low-earth orbit and bring payloads back to Earth at the cheapest price on the market.
The EOS, named after the Greek goddess of dawn, is an entirely different vehicle from any launcher ever developed, both in terms of technologies and in the concept of operations. Given its very small size (just 3 meters tall, 1 ton fully fueled), the launcher can be operated by a small crew and is powered by storable, safe, and green fuels.
The vehicle has autonomous guidance, like a drone, thus eliminating the risk of uncertainty in air traffic. In case of unforeseen events, the vehicle carries a commercially tested guided parachute, which can be activated any time during the flight, ensuring a safe return to the ground at the launch site.
With launch operations arranged in a day and the lowest price for smallsats as primary payloads, EOS becomes an orbital drone that can be used to deliver CubeSats, run experiments, tests, and commercial operations in space daily, anytime, anywhere.
EOS has a payload capacity to SSO of 12 kg, up to 20 kg for low orbits, with a time to orbit ranging from days to hours. EOS can be reused at least ten times with zero or minimal refurbishment needed.
EOS vehicle allows Sidereus to offer their clients:
- Fully customizable missions: clients’ CubeSats are positioned with extreme precision without using a space tug;
- Launch anytime you want: only one week from notification to launch date;
- Payload re-entry: clients can recover their payload safely, after a period ranging from 12 hours to 1 month into orbit;
- Constellation positioning and replenishment: accurate constellation positioning and fast replenishment in case of satellite failure;
- EOS vehicle as a platform: onboard payload integration to eliminate satellite bus costs;
- Iterative R&D: companies can test any component directly in space conditions on board EOS, with quick and customized launch campaigns;
- Drive-it-yourself: EOS vehicles will be operated autonomously by the client or the defense.
EOS key technologies have already been demonstrated, through the approach "fail fast, learn fast", from the first kerolox booster stage rocket engine ever developed in Italy to the structures, tanks, turbopumps and avionics.
The first Integrated System Test of the major vehicle subsystems has been successfuly demonstated on July 2024.
Low altitude flights expected in 2026 to demonstrate flight control in an environment that allows for multiple iterations. The first tentative of orbital flight is expected not earlier then Q4 2027, paving the way for new attempts and the start of commercial operations by 2028.
