RESPONSIVE ACCESS TO SPACE FOR EUROPEAN MICROSATELLITES
- Paper number
IAC-08.B4.5.8
- Author
Mr. Gerry Webb, commercial space technologies ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. John Paffett, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom
- Year
2008
- Abstract
An examination is made of the need for a European northern latitude base for an ultralight launch vehicle system which can provide a responsive access to space for satellites of up to 150 kg mass into low Earth orbits with altitudes of up to 600 km and with sun-synchronous inclinations. While the specific cost of vehicles inevitably increases as their size decreases, the ability to launch microsatellites individually on demand is central to the responsive access concept. Europe’s smallest launcher, Vega, is still too big for this task and too expensive and slow to prepare in order be able to provide individual responsive access for satellites of the disaster monitoring constellation (DMC) type as developed by SSTL and other European small satellite producers. Alternative launch systems which could service the needs identified at a maximum total target cost of under 5 million euros are considered and some preliminary assessments made. Emphasis is given to those systems that can use ready facilities, components and technologies. The appeal of mobile systems for the all important control of drop-zones and operating base costs is also addressed.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.B4.5.8.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.