SHARP System: High-Altitude Kinetic Launch Technology

SHARP (Super High Altitude Research Project) is Green Launch's proprietary light-gas propulsion system that uses hydrogen and oxygen combustion to accelerate payloads to extreme velocities—up to Mach 9. Unlike traditional rockets, SHARP uses a ground-based launch tube to propel vehicles using high-pressure light gas, achieving record-breaking speeds with zero carbon emissions. The system was originally developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and has been refined through extensive testing at Yuma Proving Ground.

SHARP systems serve multiple aerospace applications: hypersonic vehicle testing (including world-record scramjet launches at Mach 8), sub-orbital payload delivery to the stratosphere, atmospheric sampling of the mesosphere and ionosphere for climate research, and horizontal test firing for propulsion R&D. Green Launch is developing orbital capability to deliver satellites and supplies to Low Earth Orbit at $100/lb, with future applications including propellant delivery to orbital refueling depots.

SHARP uses ground-based light-gas propulsion rather than onboard rocket fuel, eliminating the need for multi-stage rockets and reducing payload mass constraints. The hydrogen-oxygen combustion produces only water vapor, achieving zero carbon emissions versus traditional rocket exhaust. SHARP's single-stage system reaches velocities up to Mach 9, with 91% propellant capture minimizing acoustic signature. Launch cadence can reach 60-90 minutes between missions, enabling rapid-response deployment impossible with conventional rocket systems.

Green Launch has demonstrated projectile launch velocities up to 2.97 km/sec (Mach 9) using the SHARP system's single-stage light-gas combustion. Vertical testing with the 54-foot launch tube has achieved velocities exceeding Mach 3. Horizontal test firings at Yuma Proving Ground have reached speeds up to 2 km/s. These velocities enable hypersonic testing, stratospheric access, and the planned orbital insertion capability for satellite deployment missions.

All SHARP system testing is conducted at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, a U.S. Army facility specializing in weapons and aerospace testing. Green Launch has completed multiple successful test series there, including 12 horizontal shots in 2017-2018, additional horizontal tests in July 2021, and the first vertical stratospheric launch in December 2021. The facility provides the necessary safety infrastructure, range space, and technical support for high-velocity launch testing and data collection.

SHARP's hydrogen-oxygen propulsion system produces only water vapor as a byproduct, achieving true zero carbon emission launches. Green Launch has demonstrated over 91% propellant capture, which dramatically reduces muzzle flash and acoustic signature compared to traditional rockets. The precision gas injection scheme prevents errant detonation and maximizes fuel efficiency. This clean propulsion technology eliminates the toxic exhaust, solid rocket boosters, and atmospheric pollution associated with conventional launch systems.

Green Launch is developing the Green Express launcher to deliver satellites and supplies to Low Earth Orbit using SHARP technology. The system is designed to achieve orbital delivery at $100/lb with launch cadence of 60-90 minutes, enabling next-day delivery to space. Current testing at Yuma Proving Ground—including successful stratospheric launches—validates the core propulsion technology. The orbital system will build on proven sub-orbital capabilities, with first orbital missions targeted for the near future.

SHARP launches specialized wound fiberglass vehicles designed to withstand extreme compression during high-G acceleration. These vehicles are RF-transparent, protecting internal antennas while enabling communications. Payload types include hypersonic scramjet engines for aerospace testing, atmospheric sampling instruments for climate research, scientific instruments for ionosphere access, and future small satellites for orbital deployment. Vehicle dimensions accommodate the 7-inch to 54-foot launch tube configurations, with payload mass optimized for target velocity and mission profile.