Small Upper Stage Basic Program Final Report

Abstract

The goal of this effort was to create a generic, low-cost propulsion stage design capable of being integrated to several different launch vehicles (LV's) and capable of providing a mission enabling orbit transfer function to a variety of different small satellite missions. In order to accomplish this goal, a launch vehicle survey was conducted to establish the current LV capability and environments with respect to small satellites. In addition, a small satellite survey was conducted to establish the orbital needs of the small satellite community. With this information, the SUS specification was created. Based on this specification, the preliminary design of the SUS was developed. This design is capable of being integrated onto several different LV's and is capable of providing the orbit adjust requirements for approximately 75 percent of the small satellite missions identified. The SUS design has capabilities of providing small satellites with several orbit transfer maneuvers from a LEO parking orbit (e.g., Hohmann Transfer, circularization, plane change and de- orbit). The SUS, containing a single or multiple small satellites, can be integrated onto a host LV as a primary on the SLV's, as a secondary on the MLV's or as multiples on a dedicated LV.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 27, 1991
Accession Number
ADA240059

Entities

People

  • T. E. Frei

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Apogees
  • Application Software
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computer Programs
  • Engineers
  • Heat Energy
  • Inertial Navigation
  • Materials
  • Mechanics
  • Navigation
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Reliability
  • Small Satellites
  • Spacecraft
  • Temperature Control
  • Test Equipment
  • Test Facilities

Readers

  • Software Engineering
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris
  • Space - Satellites