FEASIBILITY STUDY OF SPACECRAFT CLUSTER LAUNCHES WITH ONE LAUNCH VEHICLE INTO VARIOUS BASIC ORBITS

Paper number

IAC-13,D2,P,16.p1,x17500

Author

Mr. Igor Mashtak, Yuzhnoye State Design Office, Ukraine

Coauthor

Mr. Anatoliy Sheptun, Ukraine

Year

2013

Abstract

Spacecraft cluster launches into one of the basic orbits has become widespread. For a number of reasons (one orbit, insufficient number of SC, etc.) providing the acceptable payload capacity for the launch vehicles (LV) may sometimes become a challenging task. Though the problem is mitigated if number of injection orbits is increased (two, three, more) per one launch of LV. Available data on SC injection into near-earth orbits proves the practicability of the technique to launch a cluster of SC with one LV into different orbits.
The report covers the following: review data on SC launches into near-earth orbits for the past decade; sequence of injection of SC clusters into two spaced-apart orbits and allocation of LV disposal orbit (or the third injection orbit instead); parameters of separation (direction, velocity) of SC cluster providing steady departure of SC in the first orbits of autonomy and further withdrawal, SC departure design data; conditions of LV maneuvering in the phases of orbit transition, guarding against main engine plume impact on SC in autonomy; payload capability ratios and their graphic representation to design SC cluster launches for different orbits; implementation of project.
Report is supplemented with video information.

Abstract document

IAC-13,D2,P,16.p1,x17500.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-13,D2,P,16.p1,x17500.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.