Green Launch

Green Launch, founded in 2019 and based in Austin, Texas, is a launch vehicle company focused on dramatically reducing the cost and increasing the availability of orbital launch services. The company is developing a hydrogen impulse launch system – a ground-based method utilizing impulse to accelerate payloads – intended to replace the traditional first stage of a rocket. This technology builds upon existing, decades-old NASA and Air Force testing methods.

Green Launch differentiates itself by targeting the growing small satellite market – specifically cube-sats and similarly sized, acceleration-tolerant payloads – for which flexibility, rapid deployment, and low cost are paramount. While pursuing orbital launch capabilities, the company is initially focused on providing on-demand, sub-orbital services for applications like hypersonic testing and atmospheric research, catering to customers prioritizing speed and reliability over price.

A first light-gas vertical launch was successfully completed in December 2021, demonstrating core technology. Green Launch emphasizes the environmental benefits of its approach, highlighting minimized emissions compared to conventional rocket launches. The company aims to enable a wider range of space applications, including experimentation, Earth observation, and support for lunar and deep space missions through orbital refueling.