EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) Static Qualification Tests

Abstract

The United States Air Force Research Lab is currently examining options to launch small satellites (<200 kg e.g., 440 lb) more economically and efficiently. This class of satellite is quickly becoming a government and industry mainstay due to their ability to inexpensively demonstrate new technology, test prototype operational hardware, as well as perform space experimentation. Most of existing launch options include foreign sources, such as the Ariane launch vehicle, that are not available to Department of Defense (DoD) launches. Through the efforts of team members from the Air Force Research Lab$Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/VS), DoD Space Test Program (STP), TRW, and CSA Engineering, a secondary payload adapter has been developed to allow small satellites to be launched with the primary payload. This is to be accomplished by using an adapter on the upcoming Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELV), DoD medium lift vehicles, more specifically, the Boeing Co. Delta IV and the Lockheed Martin Atlas V launch vehicles. This adapter, known as the EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) will take advantage of the primary payload's unused volume and mass margins.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA443362

Entities

People

  • Gregory E. Sanford
  • Jeffry S. Welsh

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Actuators
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Control Systems
  • Control Systems Engineering
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Data Acquisition
  • Detectors
  • Engineering
  • Experimental Data
  • Hydraulic Actuators
  • Launch Vehicles
  • Load Cells
  • Measurement
  • Spacecraft
  • Strain Gages
  • Transducers

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Missile Defense Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites