Bimodal Satellite Mission Study.

Abstract

While space system launch and operational costs continue to rise, funding levels for research and procurement are declining drastically. Placing a satellite in geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) can cost as much as $77,OOO/kg of payload. Military systems such as MlLSTAR, a jam-resistant secure communications satellite, are being examined for redesign in order to place them on smaller, less expensive launch vehicles. Such a stepdown (e.g. from a Titan IV to an Atlas booster) decreases payload capability but lowers launch costs. The decrease in cost can be significant: MlLSTAR'S baseline launcher, Titan IV/Centaur, is estimate to cost as much as $400M. Moving the payload onto a Titan III or Atlas IIAS could save $250M or more.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA300272

Entities

People

  • Fred Kennedy
  • Vlad Vanek

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Earth Orbits
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Launchers
  • Orbits
  • Payload
  • Secure Communications
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Economics
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites