Designing a micro-launcher with tethered upper stage

Paper number

IAC-06-D2.3.03

Author

Mr. Erik Van der Heide, Delta-Utec SRC, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Michiel Kruijff, Delta-Utec, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Andrew Hyslop, Delta-Utec SRC, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Christophe Bonnal, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Mr. Christophe Talbot, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Mrs. Amaya Espinosa, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Year

2006

Abstract

The use of mechanical tethers for momentum transfer is a space-proven concept and leads to many possible applications. One such application is for launch-assist. By tethering a payload to a reaction mass and executing a controlled deployment and tether-cut, the momentum of the reaction mass can be sacrificed to obtain a boost for the payload. In this way, a launcher can deliver a payload to a low elliptic orbit then a tether deployment can be used to circularize the payload and simultaneously de-orbit the spent stage.

This paper examines the specific application of a SSO micro-launcher using 3 solid stages for orbital insertion and a tethered upper stage for circularisation plus de-orbiting of the upper stage. The tethered upper stage reduces complexity compared to a re-ignitable liquid stage alternative; a trade-off is given. Concerning accuracy, it was found that by using knowledge of the initial orbit (after burn-out of solid stages), the tether target length and deployment trajectory could be adjusted to correct for errors in the solid stage-delivered apogee. The range of correctable errors depends primarily on the available tether length, the payload mass (which affects delta-V) and the perigee (in terms of atmospheric drag causing tether bending and altitude loss).
This paper discusses the mission analysis in terms of delivering the payload into target orbit and de-orbiting the spent solid stage to the ocean. Preliminary design of the tether system is provided and a road map for further development is made.

Abstract document

IAC-06-D2.3.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-D2.3.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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