Imagine if a rocket didn't need a massive, permanent concrete tower to take off. Instead, this project creates a 'smart' portable base that travels with the rocket like a piece of luggage. It allows the launcher to plug into any basic spaceport and take off without needing custom construction at every site.
Traditional satellite launches require expensive, site-specific ground infrastructure and often force small satellite operators to wait for 'rideshare' slots on larger rockets.
A 'Smart GPM' (Ground Proximity Means) that acts as a portable Stage 0, allowing the Zephyr rocket to launch from any compatible spaceport without custom ground construction.
If you are a satellite operator dealing with long wait times for shared launches — this project developed a dedicated micro-launcher and portable ground system that allows you to place payloads up to 200 kg in Low Earth Orbit on your own schedule.
If you are a spaceport operator dealing with the high cost of building site-specific launch infrastructure — this project developed a Smart GPM that is fully adaptable to any launchpad, reducing the need for permanent ground structures.
If you are a government agency dealing with the need for rapid, reactive space access — this project developed a transportable 'Stage 0' system that provides flexibility to launch from various sites quickly.
It uses a low-cost launchpad system that avoids launchpad-specific designs, enabling scale economies and easier rescheduling.
Based on available project data, the Zephyr launcher is specifically designed for small satellites of up to 200 kg.
Based on available project data, the rocket engine (Navier) and the GPM are designed in-house by Latitude.
The GPM acts as a 'Stage 0' and is fully supervised by the Zephyr on-board computers, simplifying the interface between the launcher and the ground.
The project period runs from 2024-12-01 to 2026-11-30.
The project is led by a single French SME, Latitude, which maintains 100% industry control. This lean structure suggests a highly focused commercial drive, as the company is developing both the engine and the ground system in-house to create an end-to-end space access service.
Contact Latitude (France) regarding the Zephyr micro-launcher program.
Contact us to explore partnerships for small-satellite deployment.
