Comparative assessment of Air-Based Launch Systems competitiveness for the space launch market
- Paper number
IAC-06-D2.2.10
- Author
Dr. Anton Kolozezny, Central Research Institute of Machine Building (TSNIIMASH), Russia
- Coauthor
Mr. Joerg Behrens, EADS Astrium, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Alexey Romashkin, Central Research Institute of Machine Building (TSNIIMASH), Russia
- Coauthor
Prof. Vladimir Vakhnichenko, Central Research Institute of Machine Building (TSNIIMASH), Russia
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Affordable access to space remains a major obstacle to realizing the increasing potential of small satellites systems. On a per kilogram basis, conventional small launch vehicles are simply too expensive for the budgets of many small satellite programs. One possible option to overcome this situation is the application of small, so-called "air-based launch systems" (ABSLs), which may provide a competitive launch alternative. Nowadays activities on developing ABSLs are being conducted by a number of Russian, European, American and other companies.
In the report some examples of ABSL projects will be considered. The basic criteria ABSLs competitiveness in the world market of launch services will be defined. The results will cover a comparative estimation of their efficiency and their commercial competitiveness.
The main criteria are formed on the basis of the following factors and parameters:
- Tendencies of development of the world market of space vehicles an easy class of various purpose for which deducing can be demanded ABSL;
- Power-mass characteristics;
- Operational characteristics;
- Technical and economic characteristics;
- Maturity of the projects.
The achieved results will be used to prioritize the different ABSL projects.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-D2.2.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.