Space Test Program-1 (STP-1)—Raising the Standard
- Paper number
IAC-06-B5.5.02
- Author
Major David Rodriguez, Space and Missile Systems Center, United States
- Coauthor
Major Raymond L. Galik, Space and Missile Systems Center, United States
- Year
2006
- Abstract
STP-1 is a ground-breaking rideshare mission from the Space Test Program (STP) which is blazing a trail for the future of small satellites. The STP-1 mission is implementing groundbreaking advances in launch vehicle hardware, new advanced mission software, and many lessons in the integration of a highly complex seven vehicle payload stack. These groundbreaking activities are laying a foundation to help define standards which small satellites can take advantage of for future missions. This paper will describe the advances being made by the STP-1 mission, the standards being developed because of this mission, and show how this mission is already helping future missions. The STP-1 mission is scheduled to launch in September 2006 on an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV). It consists of seven satellites deploying to two different orbits. This mission will be the first use ever of the EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) ring holding five of the satellites around its perimeter mounted under the primary payload consisting of two satellites. The two primary payload satellites will be inserted into the first orbit along with one of the five ESPA satellites. The upper stage will then maneuver the remaining four satellites on the ESPA ring to the second orbit for insertion. This will be the first multi-orbit “small” satellite mission for STP and the EELV which will require newly designed mission software to enable this first 3-burn flight profile. This mission also represents the most complex systems integration effort STP has ever conducted which has required the use of new integration practices and processes. Many future EELV launches will possess excess capability that small satellite missions can take advantage of due to the advances of this mission. The paper will discuss some upcoming missions which would not have been possible without the advances developed by the STP-1 mission. The successful launch of the STP-1 mission on an EELV will represent a new capability for the world of auxiliary/secondary payloads. Taken together, all of these trailblazing advances make the STP-1 mission a watershed event in the world of small satellites. STP-1 is truly “raising the standard” for the future of small satellites.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-B5.5.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.