Little GEO Satellite Design - LUX

Paper number

IAC-05-B5.6.B.09

Author

Mr. Martin Kassebom, OHB-System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Dominik Lang, OHB-System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Bent Ziegler, OHB-System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Carsten Tobehn, OHB-System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Andreas Gehlenborg, OHB-System AG, Germany

Year

2005

Abstract

During the past decade, there has been a renewed emphasis on providing satellite-based communication services to consumers. Although the current transponder capacity in geostationary orbit proves sufficient for the presently targeted satellite communication applications, upcoming services like broadband via satellite as well as changing costumer demands increase the need for new, cost-effective communication satellites. The aim to simply decrease the “cost per transponder” has kept the focus on the development of ever bigger and more powerful platforms but the lower investment risk and shorter development time of small platforms cause these to be viable alternatives.
Outgoing from these trends on the geostationary satellite market and derived from our heritage with the design and development of small satellites (such as SAR-Lupe) OHB-System AG is developing the Little GEO Platform LUX for the implementation of cost-effective geostationary missions. In addition to providing a competitive edge in the telecommunication market the low cost of the LUX platform also facilitates the use of geostationary satellites for e.g. Earth observation.
The first design of the LUX is largely based on existing well-proven technology and relying strongly on the legacy from existing satellites. This design approach already shows advantages compared to big platforms with respect to lower complexity, implementation and launch cost, and therefore investment risk. Incorporating new technologies in both payload and satellite platform enables to improve the LUX concept beyond current capabilities and to offer more cost-effective, reliable and flexible solutions for the future.
This paper will provide an overview of the LUX platform, its present state of development. Special attention will be given to the utilisation of LUX as a platform for telecommunications missions.

Abstract document

IAC-05-B5.6.B.09.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-B5.6.B.09.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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