Is it possible to launch a rocket to orbit from a ship on the sea?

[RainDreamer]

Was reading this great manga called Jormungand, and one of the chapter involved a launch of a GPS satellite from a ship. It was a really large ship (link to manga page of ship, you can read the next few page for better views):

It makes me wonder, can such a thing be done in real life?

[AngelLestat]

this topic was already post it in the science section..

Yes is possible and it was done several times (like 30).

They possition the ship in the equator to be able to increase the payload for the rocket they were use. Search the old topic.

[Kibble]

Sea Launch.

[Van Disaster]

Like that, perhaps?

[RainDreamer]

Like that, perhaps?

That looks almost exactly like the ship from manga. Although this one is a static platform it seems.

Edit: Nvm, I reverse search that and found the thing. Make sense. I remember they use such mobile platform for planting wind farm out in the ocean. So using a similar one for launching rocket is possible.

Seems like the manga use that as an inspiration, even.

Edited April 15, 2015 by RainDreamer

[Kibble]

That looks almost exactly like the ship from manga. Although this one is a static platform it seems.

The launch pad is Ocean Odyssey, and it is towed out to sea by the ship Sea Launch Commander.

[jwenting]

It's effectively a floating oil rig in shape and size, to give an idea of the scales involved.

[PlonioFludrasco]

Yes, the San Marco satellites were mostly launched from sea pads. I think those pads are still there. Search for Broglio Space Center on google.

[Commander Jebidiah]

Well there isnt much of a difference between a land and a sea launch.

The US Navy fired a missile to destroy a sat in 2008 i think.

[Stone Blue]

Already a mod for this for KSP.

I've launched off the Ocean Odyssey quite a bit...its awesome..

Just cant handle wide launchers...

KerbinSide with the Oceania Pack

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/82785-0-90-Kerbin-Side-v0-41-Go-For-Multi-Launch!/page4

Edited April 15, 2015 by Stone Blue

[sgt_flyer]

I've checked the manga, it's not just an inspiration at this point even the rocket is a Zenit-3SL (same fairing / same open lattice interstage / even the letter police is the same

[Kryten]

Russian Shtil' and Volna rockets (both converted SLBMs) have also been launched from submarines.

[jwenting]

Yes, the San Marco satellites were mostly launched from sea pads. I think those pads are still there. Search for Broglio Space Center on google.

There is a difference, but it's mostly due to seaborne platforms being less stable and of course not having a position known to 500 digits accuracy months in advance. So your guidance systems are going to need to be somewhat more complex, which is a big reason why land based missiles have traditionally been more accurate than their ship launched cousins (of course that's changed over time, ship launches are now very accurate as well, but the missiles and guidance systems on ships are more complex and expensive to achieve that).

[Bill Phil]

There is a difference, but it's mostly due to seaborne platforms being less stable and of course not having a position known to 500 digits accuracy months in advance. So your guidance systems are going to need to be somewhat more complex, which is a big reason why land based missiles have traditionally been more accurate than their ship launched cousins (of course that's changed over time, ship launches are now very accurate as well, but the missiles and guidance systems on ships are more complex and expensive to achieve that).

Except that the guidance can be from satellites, and some really simple hydro-aero-dynamics can right the craft when at angles.