ESPAStar – Enabling Space Missions with Rideshare Using an Innovative Propulsive ESPA Free Flying Platform
- Paper number
IAC-19,B4,5,14,x53394
- Author
Ms. Carol Welsch, United States, Northrop Grumman Corporation
- Coauthor
Mr. Timothy Rumford, United States, Northrop Grumman Corporation
- Year
2019
- Abstract
Traditionally, space missions go through a lengthy and customized systems engineering design process to optimize the mission objective with a spacecraft platform and a launch vehicle. With the need for low cost, rapid access to space for small satellites, this lengthy process in problematic. This problem is addressed with ESPAStar; a space platform that provides a modular, cost-effective, and highly capable infrastructure resource for hosting technology development and operational payloads. The ESPAStar Platform uses a customized EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) ring as part of its structure and is capable of being launched aboard any launch vehicle that meets the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) standard interface specification. The ESPAStar Platform's 6 payload ports are capable of accommodating any combination of up to 6 hosted and 12 separable (fly-away) payloads. The payload interface at each port has been standardized, allowing for hosted and separable Payload interchangeability, late Payload integration, and manifest changes. The ESPAStar Platform leverages the available mass margin from any EELV launch to provide an affordable path to space for payloads.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-19,B4,5,14,x53394.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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