You may have heard or seen recently that Zero 2 Infinity, a Barcelona based space Launch company, has ran trials of its Bloostar launch platform, in the hope to revolutionise launch systems into Low Earth Orbit.

Credits: Zero 2 InfinitySimply put they use large weather balloons to get into Low Earth Orbit (approx. 25km from the surface) with the supply craft or passenger carrying craft tethered to the balloon, then they launch the craft with less drag and gravity further on into space. This type of launch system is ground breaking and has never been used previously at all: this is a first of many that have been tested in this manner whilst others are still in development.

(Bear in mind the moon is about 300,000miles from Earth's surface and the ISS is about 90km from Earth's surface).

The advantages of such a launch mechanism are numerous including significantly reduced launch costs: a rocket launch can cost $100 million or more to launch a satellite whereas this launch system could do it for between €250,000 - €2 million dependant on the weight showing that it makes the departure from expensive space travel. It also means that the balloons can be reusable and can also support human take off and ferrying in LEO as well - challenging Virgin Galactic expected dominance over space tourism. Last, it also provides a more Carbon friendly solution rather than burning fuel in a colossal manner.

This could literally revolutionise Near Earth Space travel and provide massive advances in budgetary spend allowing for progress on further Research and Development and Extra-Terrestrial craft thanks to the cost savings shown.

Credits: Zero 2 InfinityPersonally I have thought of this design before and tried to reimagine the static concept of space travel being aboard a rocket. This type of transportation mechanism does provide a whole new method of propulsion into Low Earth Orbit and may even possibly be a new method of sending small cargo launches into orbit without the massing costs of using rockets. I suspect with the technology being relatively inexpensive by comparison that many companies may quickly adopt this type of technology and begin a cost race, which is exactly what the industry needs. Cost has bogged down progress in space exploration for so long that a more cost effective method of doing routine missions can hopefully provide the breathing room for research and development the industry so desperately needs. It also opens and widens the existing (whilst newborn) space tourism industry, Bloostar offers Short Low Earth Orbit missions and hopefully again being relatively expensive will make it mean like you are going on an expensive holiday rather than putting your entire life savings on the opportunity to go to space. Accessibility will mean greater revenue streams and hopefully a massive advancement towards the private sector space travel.

The next question is with technology like this how SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and others will react if this "takes off" succeed and makes many of their standard rocket missions redundant? Will they adapt or not? Hopefully it will spur a new sort of space race that will really get things going!

Do you think this is the future or do you believe it will be a passing fad? Do you think it will be the kick the big companies needed to provide affordable rocketry? Let us know!

WRITTEN BY Avenger - EDITED BY Eaglesg
SOURCE: Space.com