Satellite Communications Availability - Launch Scheduling

Abstract

This report considers the scheduling of periodic launches of communications satellites in order to maintain a required level of system availability. Since satellite lifetimes can be described only statistically, availability is described by the probability of having at least 'A' satellites operating in orbit as a function of time. The behavior of this probability is calculated for variations in launch rate (satellites per year), multiplicity of launch (satellites per launch vehicle), and satellite failure model. The transient in availability at the introduction of a satellite system is seen clearly in the data curves. The data in this report can be used to choose a launch strategy which meets specified availability requirements and minimizes the number of satellites that must be procured and launched over a program lifetime.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 18, 1975
Accession Number
ADA019319

Entities

People

  • Charles W. Niessen

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Launching
  • Massachusetts
  • Military Satellites
  • Probabilistic Models
  • Probability
  • Probability Density Functions
  • Random Variables
  • Satellite Communications
  • Scheduling (Production)
  • Space Stations
  • Spacecraft
  • Steady State
  • United States
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Regression Analysis.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites