The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles Product Code #F621 A Special Focused Market Segment Analysis by: Space Systems Forecast - Launch Vehicles & Manned Platforms Analysis 1 The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles 2010 - 2019 Table of Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................................2 Introduction................................................................................................................................................................2 Trends..........................................................................................................................................................................3 Competitive Environment.....................................................................................................................................17 Market Statistics .....................................................................................................................................................19 Table 1 - The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles Unit Production by Headquarters/Company/Program 2010 - 2019 ................................................21 Table 2 - The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles Value Statistics by Headquarters/Company/Program 2010 - 2019.................................................25 Figure 1 - The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles Unit Production 2010 - 2019 (Bar Graph) ...............................................................................30 Figure 2 - The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles Value of Production 2010 - 2019 (Bar Graph).........................................................................30 Table 3 - The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles Unit Production % Market Share by Headquarters/Company 2010 - 2019 ....................................31 Table 4 - The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles Value Statistics % Market Share by Headquarters/Company 2010 - 2019.....................................33 Figure 3 - The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles Unit Production % Market Share 2010 - 2019 (Pie Chart) ......................................................35 Figure 4 - The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles Value Statistics % Market Share 2010 - 2019 (Pie Chart).......................................................35 Conclusion ...............................................................................................................................................................36 * * * ©2010 October 2010 Product Code F621 The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles PROGRAMS The following reports are included in this section: (Note: a single report may cover several programs.) Angara Ares I (Crew Launch Vehicle) Ariane 5 Atlas V Cyclone CZ-2 (Long March 2) CZ-3 (Long March 3) CZ-4 (Long March 4) CZ-5 (Long March 5) Delta II Dnepr EELV Falcon Launch Vehicles GSLV H-2A/H-2B J-2 (GX) M-V Launch Vehicle Pegasus XL Proton PSLV Rockot/Strela Sea Launch Shavit Soyuz Start/Start-1 Launch Vehicles Taurus Vega Zenit/Land Launch ©2010 October 2010 Product Code F621 The Market for Expendable Launch Vehicles Introduction For years, the expendable launch vehicle suffered from Ares I a downturn in demand, especially in the commercial Ares V sector. This has left only two major players in the Ariane 5 commercial launch market, International Launch Atlas V Services (ILS) and Arianespace. Other launch vehicles Cyclone heavily rely on government contracts to keep up CZ-2 (Long March 2) demand. CZ-3 (Long March 3) CZ-4 (Long March 4) However, there has been a recent spike in satellite CZ-5 (Long March 5) purchases by the major commercial communications Delta II satellite operators. These new satellites will need to be Dnepr launched, creating a boon for the launch vehicle EELV (Delta IV derived, Atlas V derived) industry. The lack of competition allows these two Falcon-1 companies to charge higher prices, making them a more Falcon-9 sustainable level of profitability forward in the future. GSLV Going forward, the industry will have to focus on a H-2A/H-2B number of issues. While the current satellite building J-2 (GX) boom is helping the industry, the expected drop in M-V satellite purchases will reduce demand for launches. In Pegasus XL addition, a number of new players, as well the return of Proton older players into the market, will increase competition. PSLV Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) hopes to Rockot/Strela compete with established launch vehicle providers by Sea Launch selling services on its Falcon-9 launch vehicle at much Shavit lower prices. In addition, Sea Launch expects to exit Soyuz bankruptcy protection and begin operations shortly. Start Taurus The following are the expendable launch vehicles for Taurus 2 which a production forecast is provided in this analysis: Vega Angara Zenit * * * ©2010 Space Systems Forecast - Launch Vehicles & Manned Platforms CZ-3 (Long March 3) Outlook Unit Production Forecast 2010-2019 Long March 3B failure in Aug. 2009 was the first Long 7 March failure in 13 years 6 5 Commercial launches originating from China will most 4 likely take place on Long March 3B rockets 3 Feng Yun (FY) and Beidou spacecraft will continue to 2 launch on Long March 3A rockets 1 0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Units 6545421000Units Orientation Description. The CZ-3 is a series of three-stage Total Produced. More than 40 CZ-3s have been expendable launch vehicles. produced. Sponsor. People's Republic of China's Ministry of Application. The CZ-3 (also known as Long March 3) Aeronautics. series is designed to carry medium-to-large payloads into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Status. Production; the CZ-3A and CZ-3B became commercially available in 1993 and 1995, respectively. Price Range. CZ-3, about $40 million; CZ-3A, China has retired the standard CZ-3 variant. $45 million; CZ-3B, $65 million. Contractors Prime China Aerospace Science & http://www.spacechina.com, 9 Fucheng Rd, PO Box 949, Haidian District, Beijing, Technology Corp, (CASC) 100830 China, Tel: + 86 6837 0043, Fax: + 86 6837 0080, Email: [email protected], Lead Contractor China Great Wall Industry Corp http://www.cgwic.com, 30 Haidian Nanlu, Beijing, 100080 China, Tel: + 86 10 6874 8888, Fax: + 86 10 6874 8876, Email: [email protected], Prime Subcontractor China Academy of Launch Vehicle http://www.calt.com.cn, Building Number 19, Wanyuan Rd, PO Box 9200, Beijing, Technology, CALT 100076 China (CZ-3 - Long March 3; Principal Long March Design & Production) Shanghai Academy of Space and http://www.sast.org.cn/en/index.htm, 100 Qinzhou Rd, Shanghai, 200235 China, Technology, SAST Tel: + 86 21 6470 3918, Fax: + 86 21 6470 4007, Email: [email protected] (Long March Design & Production) Comprehensive information on Contractors can be found in Forecast International's "International Contractors" series. For a detailed description, go to www.forecastinternational.com (see Products & Samples/Governments & Industries) or call + 1 (203) 426-0800. Contractors are invited to submit updated information to Editor, International Contractors, Forecast International, 22 Commerce Road, Newtown, CT 06470, USA; [email protected] ©2010 September 2010 Page 2 Space Systems Forecast - Launch Vehicles & Manned Platforms CZ-3 (Long March 3) Technical Data (CZ-3) Design Features. The CZ-3 family is China's The cryogenic third stage uses a YF-75 engine burning principal means of delivering satellite payloads to liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. Following the first geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). Of this group, flight of the CZ-3 in 1984, the PRC became only the the CZ-3B is the most powerful and is China's rocket of third space entity, after the United States and the choice for placing Western commercial communications European Space Agency, to successfully use a satellites in GTO. cryogenic propellant system. A three-stage booster, the CZ-3 borrows the two stages On a typical geosynchronous mission, the CZ-3 places of the CZ-2C; indeed, the majority of the technology its third stage and payload into an initial orbit that and flight hardware used in the CZ-3 was flight ranges from 310 kilometers to 450 kilometers at an qualified on the CZ-2C. The CZ-3's first stage, inclination of 31.1. As it nears the equator on its first designated L140 or YF-6, is powered by a cluster of southbound pass, the third stage re-ignites to place the four 75-ton thrust YF-20 liquid rocket engines burning satellite into GTO. A few days later, the satellite's unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and apogee kick motor ignites to place the satellite in nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4). The second stage, which is geosynchronous orbit. China has retired the common designated L-35 or YF-24, uses a YF-22 engine with a CZ-3 baseline variant in favor of the CZ-3A, CZ-3B and burn time of 130 seconds. For in-flight control, the CZ-3C. second stage is also equipped with four YF-23 vernier rocket engines, which also use UDMH fuel and N2O4. (CZ-3A) Design Features. The CZ-3A is a three-stage vehicle a shorter burn time. Borrowed from the CZ-2C is the incorporating the mature technologies of the CZ-3 but L35 second stage. The new H-18 cryogenic third stage adding a considerably more powerful cryogenic third is powered by a YF-75 liquid rocket engine that burns stage. The rocket uses the L180 first stage from the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. CZ-2E, but carries less propellant and consequently has Metric
Recommended publications
  • To All the Craft We've Known Before
    400,000 Visitors to Mars…and Counting Liftoff! A Fly’s-Eye View “Spacers”Are Doing it for Themselves September/October/November 2003 $4.95 to all the craft we’ve known before... 23rd International Space Development Conference ISDC 2004 “Settling the Space Frontier” Presented by the National Space Society May 27-31, 2004 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Location: Clarion Meridian Hotel & Convention Center 737 S. Meridian, Oklahoma City, OK 73108 (405) 942-8511 Room rate: $65 + tax, 1-4 people Planned Programming Tracks Include: Spaceport Issues Symposium • Space Education Symposium • “Space 101” Advanced Propulsion & Technology • Space Health & Biology • Commercial Space/Financing Space Space & National Defense • Frontier America & the Space Frontier • Solar System Resources Space Advocacy & Chapter Projects • Space Law and Policy Planned Tours include: Cosmosphere Space Museum, Hutchinson, KS (all day Thursday, May 27), with Max Ary Oklahoma Spaceport, courtesy of Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority Oklahoma City National Memorial (Murrah Building bombing memorial) Omniplex Museum Complex (includes planetarium, space & science museums) Look for updates on line at www.nss.org or www.nsschapters.org starting in the fall of 2003. detach here ISDC 2004 Advance Registration Form Return this form with your payment to: National Space Society-ISDC 2004, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. S.E., Suite 201, Washington DC 20003 Adults: #______ x $______.___ Seniors/Students: #______ x $______.___ Voluntary contribution to help fund 2004 awards $______.___ Adult rates (one banquet included): $90 by 12/31/03; $125 by 5/1/04; $150 at the door. Seniors(65+)/Students (one banquet included): $80 by 12/31/03; $100 by 5/1/04; $125 at the door.
    [Show full text]
  • Human Issues Related to Spacecraft Vibration During Ascent
    Human Issues related to Spacecraft Vibration during Ascent Consultant Report to the Constellation Program Standing Review Board Jonathan B. Clark M.D., M.P.H. Suite NA 425 One Baylor Plaza Baylor College of Medicine Houston TX 77030-3498 1731 Sunset Blvd Houston TX 77005 713 859 1381 281 989 8721 [email protected] [email protected] Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not reflect the views of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI), Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Human Issues related to Spacecraft Vibration during Ascent Consultant Report to the Constellation Program Standing Review Board Jonathan B. Clark M.D., M.P.H. Opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not reflect the views of the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI), Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Pogo in Liquid Fueled Rocket Motors The pogo phenomenon, or fuel pump inlet pressure fluctuation/ cavitation due to tuning feed line resonant frequencies was a major concern in the early space program. Pump tests showed that as inlet pressures were reduced toward cavitation, the pump started acting as an amplifier, causing large oscillations in the thrust chamber pressure. As the rocket engine thrust develops, liquid propellant is cyclically forced into the turbopump. This fluctuating fluid pressure is converted into an unintended and variable increase in engine thrust, with the net effect being longitudinal axis vibration that could result in spacecraft structural failure.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Nano/Microsatellite Market Forecast, 9Th Edition
    2019 NANO/MICROSATELLITE MARKET FORECAST, 9TH EDITION Copyright 2018, SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc. (SEI) APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE. SPACEWORKS ENTERPRISES, INC., COPYRIGHT 2018. 1 Since 2008, SpaceWorks has actively monitored companies and economic activity across both the satellite and launch sectors 0 - 50 kg 50 - 250kg 250 - 1000kg 1000 - 2000kg 2000kg+ Custom market assessments are available for all mass classes NANO/MICROSATELLITE DEFINITION Picosatellite Nanosatellite Microsatellite Small/Medium Satellite (0.1 – 0.99 kg) (1 – 10 kg) (10 – 100 kg) (100 – 1000 kg) 0 kg 1 kg 10 kg 100 kg 1000 kg This report bounds the upper range of interest in microsatellites at 50 kg given the relatively large amount of satellite development activity in the 1 – 50 kg range FORECASTING METHODOLOGY SpaceWorks’ proprietary Launch Demand Database (LDDB) Downstream serves as the data source for all satellite market Demand assessments ▪ Planned The LDDB is a catalogue of over 10,000+ historical and Constellations future satellites containing both public and non-public (LDDB) satellite programs Launch Supply SpaceWorks newly updated Probabilistic Forecast Model (PFM) is used to generate future market potential SpaceWorks PFM Model ▪ The PFM considers down-stream demand, announced/planed satellite constellations, and supply-side dynamics, among other relevant factors Expert Analysis The team of expert industry analysts at SpaceWorks SpaceWorks further interprets and refines the PFM results to create Forecast accurate market forecasts Methodology at a Glance 2018 SpaceWorks forecasted 2018 nano/microsatellite launches with unprecedented accuracy – actual satellites launched amounted to just 5% below our analysts’ predictions. In line with SpaceWorks’ expectations, the industry corrected after a record launch year in 2017, sending 20% less nano/microsatellites to orbit than in 2018.
    [Show full text]
  • Beyond the Paths of Heaven the Emergence of Space Power Thought
    Beyond the Paths of Heaven The Emergence of Space Power Thought A Comprehensive Anthology of Space-Related Master’s Research Produced by the School of Advanced Airpower Studies Edited by Bruce M. DeBlois, Colonel, USAF Professor of Air and Space Technology Air University Press Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama September 1999 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Beyond the paths of heaven : the emergence of space power thought : a comprehensive anthology of space-related master’s research / edited by Bruce M. DeBlois. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Astronautics, Military. 2. Astronautics, Military—United States. 3. Space Warfare. 4. Air University (U.S.). Air Command and Staff College. School of Advanced Airpower Studies- -Dissertations. I. Deblois, Bruce M., 1957- UG1520.B48 1999 99-35729 358’ .8—dc21 CIP ISBN 1-58566-067-1 Disclaimer Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Air University, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or any other US government agency. Cleared for public release: distribution unlimited. ii Contents Chapter Page DISCLAIMER . ii OVERVIEW . ix PART I Space Organization, Doctrine, and Architecture 1 An Aerospace Strategy for an Aerospace Nation . 3 Stephen E. Wright 2 After the Gulf War: Balancing Space Power’s Development . 63 Frank Gallegos 3 Blueprints for the Future: Comparing National Security Space Architectures . 103 Christian C. Daehnick PART II Sanctuary/Survivability Perspectives 4 Safe Heavens: Military Strategy and Space Sanctuary . 185 David W. Ziegler PART III Space Control Perspectives 5 Counterspace Operations for Information Dominance .
    [Show full text]
  • The Annual Compendium of Commercial Space Transportation: 2012
    Federal Aviation Administration The Annual Compendium of Commercial Space Transportation: 2012 February 2013 About FAA About the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation The Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA AST) licenses and regulates U.S. commercial space launch and reentry activity, as well as the operation of non-federal launch and reentry sites, as authorized by Executive Order 12465 and Title 51 United States Code, Subtitle V, Chapter 509 (formerly the Commercial Space Launch Act). FAA AST’s mission is to ensure public health and safety and the safety of property while protecting the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States during commercial launch and reentry operations. In addition, FAA AST is directed to encourage, facilitate, and promote commercial space launches and reentries. Additional information concerning commercial space transportation can be found on FAA AST’s website: http://www.faa.gov/go/ast Cover art: Phil Smith, The Tauri Group (2013) NOTICE Use of trade names or names of manufacturers in this document does not constitute an official endorsement of such products or manufacturers, either expressed or implied, by the Federal Aviation Administration. • i • Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation Dear Colleague, 2012 was a very active year for the entire commercial space industry. In addition to all of the dramatic space transportation events, including the first-ever commercial mission flown to and from the International Space Station, the year was also a very busy one from the government’s perspective. It is clear that the level and pace of activity is beginning to increase significantly.
    [Show full text]
  • Human Spaceflight Plans of Russia, China and India
    Presentation to the ASEB Committee on NASA Technology Roadmaps Panel on Human Health and Surface Exploration June 1, 2011 by Marcia S. Smith Space and Technology Policy Group, LLC Russia Extensive experience in human spaceflight First animal in space (1957), first man in space (1961), first woman in space (1963), first spacewalk (1965), first space station (1971) Seven successful space stations (Salyut 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and Mir) before partnering in International Space Station (ISS) No people beyond low Earth orbit (LEO), however For earth orbit, continues to rely on Soyuz, first launched in 1967, but upgraded many times and is key to ISS operations Designed space shuttle, Buran, but launched only once in automated mode (no crew) in 1988 06-01-2011 2 Russia (2) Existing reliable launch vehicles Proton is largest: 21 tons to LEO; 5.5 tons to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) Attempts to build Saturn V-equivalent in 1960s and 1970s failed (N1 failed four times in four attempts 1969-1972) Energiya booster in 1980s only flew twice (1987 with Polyus and 1988 with Buran). Abandoned for financial reasons. Was 100 tons to LEO; 18-20 tons to GTO; 32 tons to lunar trajectory. RD-170 engines for Energiya’s strap-ons live on today in other forms for Zenit, Atlas V, and Angara (under development) 06-01-2011 3 Russia (3) Robotic planetary space exploration mixed Excellent success at – Moon (Luna and Lunokhod series, plus Zond circumlunar flights) Venus (Venera series) Halley’s Comet (Vega 1 and 2—also Venus) Jinxed at Mars More than a dozen failures in 1960s - 1970s Partial success with Phobos 2 in 1988 (Phobos 1 failed) Mars 96 failed to leave Earth orbit Phobos-Grunt scheduled for later this year; designed as sample return from Phobos (includes Chinese orbiter) 06-01-2011 4 Russia (4) Grand statements over decades about sending people to the Moon and Mars, but never enough money to proceed.
    [Show full text]
  • Proton Accident with GLONASS Satellites
    3/29/2018 Proton accident with GLONASS satellites Previous Proton mission: SES­6 PICTURE GALLERY A Proton rocket with the Block D 11S861 stage and 813GLN34 payload firing shortly before liftoff on July 2, 2013. Upcoming book on space exploration Read more and watch videos in: Site map Site update log About this site About the author The ill­fated Proton rocket lifts off on July 2, 2013, at 06:38:21.585 Moscow Time (July 1, 10:38 p.m. EDT). The rocket crashed approximately 32.682 seconds later, Roskosmos said on July 18, 2013. Mailbox Russia's Proton crashes with a trio of navigation satellites SUPPORT THIS SITE! Published: July 1; updated: July 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, 15, 18, 19; 23; Aug. 11 Related pages: Russia's Proton rocket crashed less than a minute after its liftoff from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. A Proton­M vehicle No. 53543 with a Block DM­03 (11S­86103) upper stage lifted off as scheduled from Pad No. 24 at Site 81 (launch complex 8P­882K) in Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 2, 2013, at 06:38:21.585 Moscow Time (on July 1, 10:38 p.m. EDT). The rocket started veering off course right after leaving the pad, deviating from the vertical path in various RD­253/275 engines directions and then plunged to the ground seconds later nose first. The payload section and the upper stage were sheered off the vehicle moments before it impacted the ground and exploded. The flight lasted no more than 30 seconds. Searching for details: The Russian space agency's ground processing and launch contractor, TsENKI, was broadcasting the launch live and captured the entire process of the vehicle's disintegration and its crash.
    [Show full text]
  • Magisterarbeit
    MAGISTERARBEIT Titel der Magisterarbeit „How does China’s space program fit their development goals?“ Verfasser Manfred Steinkellner, Bakk. phil. angestrebter akademischer Grad Magister der Philosophie (Mag.phil.) Innsbruck, Juni 2009 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt: A 066 811 Studienrichtung lt. Studienblatt: Sinologie Betreuer: Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Frank, Prof. Dr. Susanne Weigelin-Schwiedrzik Zusammenfassung Diese Diplomarbeit befasst sich mit dem chinesischen Weltraumprogramm und seiner Rolle im Kontext der chinesischen Entwicklungspolitik. Die Bedeutung ist einerseits durch Chinas wirtschaftlichen Aufstieg gegeben und andererseits durch das erhöhte strategische und kommerzielle Interesse am Weltraum. Der erste Teil dieser Arbeit versucht kurz den Weg Chinas zu seiner aktuellen Lage zu skizzieren. Die wichtigsten Entwicklungsschritte in Wirtschaft, Militär und Umwelt werden aufgezeigt um ein besseres Verständnis der Realität zu ermöglichen. Nach einer kurzen Analyse der aktuellen Situation werden die chinesischen Entwicklungspläne untersucht. Das Hauptaugenmerk liegt auf dem elften chinesischen Fünf-Jahres Plan, dem elften chinesischen Entwicklungsplan für Weltraum sowie dem Langzeit Entwicklungsplan für Wissenschaft und Technik. Die Analyse dieser Daten führt zu einem konkreteren Verständnis der aktuellen Ziele Chinas und ermöglicht somit eine Einordnung des Weltraumprogramms in die aktuelle chinesische Entwicklung. Der zweite Teil untersucht sechs Kernbereiche des chinesischen Weltraumprogramms. Es handelt sich dabei um das bemannte
    [Show full text]
  • SPACE NEWS Previous Page | Contents | Zoom in | Zoom out | Front Cover | Search Issue | Next Page BEF Mags INTERNATIONAL
    Contents | Zoom in | Zoom out For navigation instructions please click here Search Issue | Next Page SPACEAPRIL 19, 2010 NEWSAN IMAGINOVA CORP. NEWSPAPER INTERNATIONAL www.spacenews.com VOLUME 21 ISSUE 16 $4.95 ($7.50 Non-U.S.) PROFILE/22> GARY President’s Revised NASA Plan PAYTON Makes Room for Reworked Orion DEPUTY UNDERSECRETARY FOR SPACE PROGRAMS U.S. AIR FORCE AMY KLAMPER, COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. .S. President Barack Obama’s revised space plan keeps Lockheed Martin working on a Ulifeboat version of a NASA crew capsule pre- INSIDE THIS ISSUE viously slated for cancellation, potentially positioning the craft to fly astronauts to the interna- tional space station and possibly beyond Earth orbit SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS on technology demonstration jaunts the president envisions happening in the early 2020s. Firms Complain about Intelsat Practices Between pledging to choose a heavy-lift rocket Four companies that purchase satellite capacity from Intelsat are accusing the large fleet design by 2015 and directing NASA and Denver- operator of anti-competitive practices. See story, page 5 based Lockheed Martin Space Systems to produce a stripped-down version of the Orion crew capsule that would launch unmanned to the space station by Report Spotlights Closed Markets around 2013 to carry astronauts home in an emer- The office of the U.S. Trade Representative has singled out China, India and Mexico for not meet- gency, the White House hopes to address some of the ing commitments to open their domestic satellite services markets. See story, page 13 chief complaints about the plan it unveiled in Feb- ruary to abandon Orion along with the rest of NASA’s Moon-bound Constellation program.
    [Show full text]
  • Igor AFANASYEV, Dmitry VORONTSOV Cosmonautics | Event
    cosmonautics | event Andrey Morgunov Igor AFANASYEV, Dmitry VORONTSOV AANGARA’SNGARA’S FFIRSTIRST BBLASTOFFLASTOFF At 16.04 hrs Moscow time on 9 July 2014, the Plesetsk space launch centre saw the launching facility in February 2014 to the first launch of the Angara-1.2PP launch vehicle of the advanced space rocket practice its fuelling and the nose fairing was family being developed by the Khrunichev state space research and production fitted on the rocket in March. The successful ground tests were followed by the prelaunch centre. The maiden blastoff conducted as part of the Angara flight test programme preparations. was aimed at testing the solutions embodied in the design of the URM-1 and URM-2 The date of the launch was put off for versatile rocket modules and the Angara’s launch and technical facilities as well. 27 June 2014 due to extra checks required. In this connection, orbiting an actual spacecraft had not been considered, with On 9 June, Khrunichev hosted a session of an inseparable full-scale mock-up used as payload. The flight was suborbital to the Chief Designers Council, dedicated to prevent cluttering near-Earth orbit with space junk. the preparation of the Angara to its flight tests. The session pronounced the rocket fit To say the Angara’s first launch had been In spite of the hurdles, the developer, for the trials. anticipated for a long time would be an nevertheless, got in the stretch with the Angara The LV had been taken out of the assembly understatement: it was slated for 2005 under programme.
    [Show full text]
  • The New Commercial Spaceports
    The New Commercial Spaceports Derek Webber1 Spaceport Associates, Rockville, Maryland 20852,USA During the second half of the 20th Century, the first launch sites were established, mostly during the ‘fifties and ‘sixties. They were originally a product of the cold war and served military and civil government purposes. They were used for launching sounding rockets, space probes, for missile testing and injecting military, scientific, and eventually commercial satellites into orbit. Initially the sites were in either the USA or the former Soviet Union, but gradually they were introduced in other countries too. Governmental astronaut crews were also sent into orbit from these early launch sites. As the 21st Century begins, a new era is emerging where a fuller range of commercial missions will be undertaken and moreover where public space travel will become common place. This situation ushers in a new kind of launch facility, known as the commercial spaceport. I. Introduction here will be vastly different requirements for the future public space travelers, and their families and friends, T than are normally available at the traditional launch sites built fifty years ago. Indeed, the creation of this emerging kind of facility, the commercial spaceport, is in some ways a very necessary part of the creation of the new space businesses that the twenty-first century offers. It will be essential that, while the space tourism companies are becoming established in order to provide services to the new public space travelers, suitable ground based facilities will be developed in parallel to sustain and support these operations. This paper provides an insight into these commercial spaceport facilities, and their characteristics, in order to assist in both design and business planning processes.
    [Show full text]
  • Overview of GX Launch Services by GALEX Koji Sato∗, Yoshirou Kondou
    Acta Astronautica 59 (2006) 381–391 www.elsevier.com/locate/actaastro Overview of GX launch services by GALEX Koji Sato∗, Yoshirou Kondou Galaxy Express Corporation, Tokyo, Japan Available online 19 May 2006 Abstract Galaxy Express Corporation (GALEX) is a launch service company in Japan to develop a medium size rocket, GX rocket and to provide commercial launch services for medium/small low Earth orbit (LEO) and Sun synchronous orbit (SSO) payloads with a future potential for small geo-stationary transfer orbit (GTO). It is GALEX’s view that small/medium LEO/SSO payloads compose of medium scaled but stable launch market due to the nature of the missions. GX rocket is a two-stage rocket of well flight proven liquid oxygen (LOX)/kerosene booster and LOX/liquid natural gas (LNG) upper stage. This LOX/LNG propulsion under development by Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), is robust with comparable performance as other propulsions and have future potential for wider application such as exploration programs. GX rocket is being developed through a joint work between the industries and GX rocket is applying a business oriented approach in order to realize competitive launch services for which well flight proven hardware and necessary new technology are to be introduced as much as possible. It is GALEX’s goal to offer “Easy Access to Space”, a highly reliable and user-friendly launch services with a competitive price. GX commercial launch will start in Japanese fiscal year (JFY) 2007–2008. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Background of GX rocket (R&D) budget was filed to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to start the R&D as “Advance Technology The origin of GX rocket can be traced back to Demonstration Rocket Program” from JFY1998.
    [Show full text]