Search Results for “fl oating launch platform” – Collected book of scientific-technical articles

6.2.2025 Floating launch platform of a sea-based space launch site

manager — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 08:37:10 +0000

6. Floating launch platform of a sea-based space launch site

Date of receipt of the article for publication: 07.12.2025

Date of acceptance of the article for publication after review: 22.12.2025

Date of publication: 27.01.2026

ISSN: 2617-5525

e-ISSN: 2617-5533

Authors:

Pustovharov A. A.

ORCID authors:

Pustovharov A. A. ORCID

Organization:

Yangel Yuzhnoye State Design Office

Page: Kosm. teh. Raket. vooruž. 2025 (2); 58-66

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33136/stma2025.02.058

Language: Ukrainian

Annotation: One of the courses in the evolution of space rocket complexes is the relocation of launch sites for space launchers to the World Ocean. Firstly, it provides the opportunity to render space services for countries that encounter complications in fi nding locations for spaceports on land. Secondly, it allows for a larger number of launch azimuths. Thirdly, it helps to increase the payload capabilities of space launchers lifting from launch sites closer to the equator. The article reviews the current global progress in utilizing ships as part of sea-based space launch sites. It notes that more and more countries are becoming interested in the development and construction of maritime space launch sites. As one of the leading enterprises in the rocket and space industry, Yuzhnoye State Design Offi ce also conducts relevant research and development, which has already yielded a conceptual design for such a launch site for the Cyclone-1K lightweight space launcher. A specifi cally equipped naval vessel was selected as the launch platform for this rocket. The article outlines initial data applied for the overall design of the launch facility and the launch platform in particular. The design process involved modern software for 3D modeling and fi nite element analysis. A conceptual view and the primary characteristics of the launch platform, obtained through the design, are presented. The platform’s primary systems are described. The specifi city of equipment arrangement to support launch vehicle preparation and ensure the liftoff , as well as the relation between such arrangement and the launch platform’s appearance and internal structure, are demonstrated. The results of this work will be valuable for the practical implementation of the sea-based space launch site project. A fl oating launch platform is the essential element of a sea-based space launch facility, as it accommodates everything necessary for launching space rockets from the sea surface. Thanks to the versatility of the fl oating launch platform, it is possible to outline its appearance and characteristics according to the strategy for the launch services market.

Key words: sea launch, sea-based space launch site, space launcher, fl oating launch platform

Bibliography:

1. Jeff Foust, February 14, 2023. SpaceX drops plans to convert oil rigs into launch platforms. URL: https://spacenews.com/ spacex-drops-plans-to-covert-oil-rigs-into-launch-platforms (data zvernennia 25.09.2025).
2. A Spaceport for Germany. The driver for a strong business and aerospace location. URL: https://www.offshore-spaceport.de/en (data zvernennia 25.09.2025).
3. Andrew Jones, December 9, 2022. China launches 14 satellites with new solid rocket from mobile sea platform. URL: https://spacenews.com/china-launches-14-satellites-with-new-solid-rocket-from-mobile-sea-platform (data zvernennia 25.09.2025).
4. Andrew Jones, January 13, 2025. Chinese sea launch sends 10 navigation enhancement satellites into orbit. URL: https://spacenews.com/chinese-sea-launch-sends-10-navigation-enhancement-satellites-into-orbit (data zvernennia 25.09.2025).
5. Andrew Jones, October 11, 2025. Huge commercial Chinese solid rocket launches 3 satellites from barge in the Yellow Sea. URL: https://spacenews.com/huge-commercial-chinese-solid-rocket-launches-3-satellites-from-barge-in-the-yellow-sea (data zvernennia 12.10.2025).
6. Larkin Yu. M., Onyshchenko A. F. Osoblyvosti proiektuvannia balkeriv. Visn. Odeskoho natsionalnoho morskoho universytetu. 2015. № 3 (45). S. 219 – 228.
7. Rehistr sudnoplavstva Ukrainy. Pravyla shchodo obladnannia morskykh suden. T. 2. Chastyny: ІІ «Korpus»; ІІІ «Prystroi, obladnannia i zabezpechennia»; ІV «Ostiinist»; V «Podil na vidsiky»; ХVІ «Konstruktsiia ta mitsnist korpusiv suden iz polimernykh kompozytsiinykh materialiv». Rehistr sudnoplavstva Ukrainy. 2020. 792 s.
8. Dontsov S. V. Osnovy teorii sudna. Odesa, 2020. 188 s.
9. Novikov A. I., Zinkovskii-Horbatenko V. H., Kot V. P. Vantazhna marka morskykh suden. Navch. posibn . Sevastopol, 2006. 160 s.
10. Hurs I. F. Praktychni rozrakhunki morekhidnykh yakostei sudna. Izmailskyi morskyi trenazhernyi tsentr. Izmail, 2001. 29 s.
11. Eyres D. J., Bruce G. J. Ship construction. 7th edition. Elsevier ltd, 2012. 388 p. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097239-8.00036-2
12. Syzov V. H. Teoriia korablia: Navch. posibn. Odeska nats. mor. akad. Odesa: FENIKS, 2003. 284 s.
13. Presentatsiia rushiiv Azipod® serii VI. Buklet firmy ABB Oy, Marine. 2010. 36 s.
14. WST-24R Retractable Thruster. Buklet firmy Wärtsilä Corporation. 2017. 2 s.

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6.1.2025 Studying the landing of the reusable first stage of the Cyclone-5 space launch vehicle on a maritime landing platform-duplicate-1

manager — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:43:20 +0000

6. Mining on the Moon

ISSN: 2617-5525

e-ISSN: 2617-5533

Автори: Gusarova I. O., Kozis K. V, Osinovyy G. G.

Organization: Yangel Yuzhnoye State Design Office, Dnipro, Ukraine

Page: Kosm. teh. Raket. vooruž. 2025 (1); 45-51

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33136/stma2025.01.045

Language: English

Annotation: Modern research into technologies for extracting mineral resources on the Moon has revealed some harsh limitations related to dependence on Earth’s resources and high technological requirements. While the chemical and carbothermal reduction of lunar regolith is theoretically possible, it requires a constant supply of reducing agents such as hydrogen or carbon from Earth. This signifi cantly increases mission costs and complicates logistics, making such methods unsuitable for large-scale applications. Pyrolysis, which involves heating regolith to extremely high temperatures, is also not an optimal solution due to the need for complex and energy-intensive equipment that exceeds the capabilities of current space technologies. Electrolysis using molten fl uoride salts or calcium chloride (CaCl2 ) has been proposed as an alternative, but its effi ciency is limited by the need to deliver fl uxes from Earth. This reduces the autonomy of the process and makes it less economically viable in the long term. In light of these limitations, the most promising technology appears to be the direct electrolysis of molten regolith, which stands out for its simplicity and independence from terrestrial materials. This method involves melting local raw materials, followed by electrolytic separation into useable components such as oxygen, metal alloys, and other materials. However, the key challenge to implementing this technology is the development of refractory conductive materials for anodes that can withstand the extreme conditions of high temperatures and aggressive oxygen environments. Existing materials degrade rapidly under these factors, leading to reduced effi ciency and increased maintenance costs. Additionally, reliable protective coatings for equipment must be developed to prevent corrosion and mechanical wear. Overcoming these technical challenges would enable the creation of an autonomous lunar resource extraction system, which is critical for future lunar bases and further space exploration. Such a system could provide astronauts with oxygen, water, and construction materials without constant supplies from Earth, signifi cantly reducing the cost of space missions. Thus, despite existing technological challenges, direct electrolysis remains the most viable option for the industrial use of local lunar resources. Further research should focus on optimizing materials and application methods, as well as on developing energy-effi cient solutions to ensure the stability and economic feasibility of lunar mining. This will open new possibilities for a sustained human presence on the Moon and will be a signifi cant step in deep space exploration.

Key words: Electrochemical reduction of melts, inert anodes, electrolysis, pyrolysis

Bibliography:

1. NEEP602 Course Notes (Fall 1996) Resources from Space. URL: https://fti.neep.wisc.edu/fti.neep.wisc.edu/neep602/lecture12.html.

2. Lunarpedia. Ilmenite Reduction. URL: https://lunarpedia.org/w/Ilmenite_Reduction.

3. S. J. Barber et al. ProSPA: Analysis of Lunar Polar Volatiles and ISRU Demonstration on the Moon. 49th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2018 (LPI Contrib. No.
2083). URL: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/documents/1568476/1766000/RD5_2018_LPSC_ PROSPECT_ProSPA_Poster_Abstract2172.pdf

4. Oxygen on the Moon. Oxygen production in the Moon extended summary. URL: https://www.ou.edu/class/che-design/a-design/projects-2004/Oxygen-Production-in-the-Moon-
Extended-Summary.pdf.

5. The Moon’s top layer alone has enough oxygen to sustain 8 billion people for 100,000 years. URL: https://theconversation-com./the-moons-top-layer-alone-has-enough-
oxygen-to-sustain-8-billion-people-for-100-000-years.

6. From lunar regolith to oxygen and structural materials: an integrated conceptual design. URL: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12567-022-00465-w.

7. Proving the viability of an electrochemical process for the simultaneous extraction of oxygen and production of metal alloys from lunar regolith. URL:
https://pure.hw.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal. Lomax, BA, Conti, M, Khan, N, Bennett, NS, Ganin, AY & Symes, MD 2019. Proving the viability of an electrochemical process
for the simultaneous extraction of oxygen and production of metal alloys from lunar regolith, Planetary and Space Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2019.104748.

8. L. Glaze, Moon’s South Pole in NASA’s Landing Sites, NASA. (2019). URL: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/moon-s-south-pole-in-nasa-s-landing-sites.

9. Feasibility Analysis of Liquefying Oxygen Generated from Water Electrolysis Units on Lunar Surface. URL: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20100020908, Feasibility
Analysis of Liquefying Oxygen Generated from Water Electrolysis Units on Lunar Surface.

10. Moon oxygen startup stumbles on ‘green’ iron production-method. URL: https://www.israelhayom.com/2022/07/17/moon-oxygen-startup-stumbles-on-green-iron-production-
method.

11. Eric Berger. Machine to melt Moon rocks and derive metals may launch in 2024. URL: https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/01/machine-to-melt-moon-rocks-and-derive-
metals-may-launch-in-2024.

12. Hydrogen-oxygen proton-exchange membrane fuel cells and electrolyzers. URL: https://www.science.gov/topicpages/e/electrolyzer+component+development.

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