The launch is one of the critical points on the team’s plan and intensive efforts are being made to have a final selected launcher in the next weeks. The phase A studies currently under process consider different alternatives to this important question. However each launcher has different payload mass or volume capabilities and those are basic constraints for the mission. Before selecting a final launcher, the team continues making progress in its mission definition considering the most constraining mass and volume capabilities within the different options evaluated.

As stated in the last post, the BMT is considering the European new small launcher VEGA as one of the feasible options to launch with. Another of the possibilities is the Dnepr launch vehicle.

The Dnepr is a ICBM converted to launch artificial satellites into orbit. It is operated by the launch service provider ISC Kosmotras. The Dnepr can be launched from Baikonur or Yasny. The baseline version can lift 3,600 kg into a 300 km low earth orbit at an inclination of 50.6°, or 2,300 kg to a 300 km sun-synchronous orbit at an inclination of 98.0°. However due to operational reasons the inclination achieved from Yasny it is not 50.6º but 65º.

The Dnepr can deploy a larger main payload and a secondary payload of mini satellites and CubeSats. The use of a Space Tug would enable a trans lunar injection orbit, although it would reduce the mass and volume of the payload in the fairing. This would be an optimal scenario for the BMT mission. However this tug is not developed and this development might not fit into the team schedule.

Barcelona Moon Team has started conversations with Kosmotras to achieve an agreement for a dedicated launch to bring the team’s payload of around 2.2Tn into a circular orbit of 550km altitude. Once released in LEO the team’s S/C would stay some days in orbit before accelerating into a lunar transfer orbit as for the first part of its mission.