Rainbow – a Launch Capability for Small Satellites from Esrange, Sweden

RAINBOW – A LAUNCH CAPABILITY FOR SMALL SATELLITES FROM ESRANGE, SWEDEN

Anna Rathsman, CTO, SSC (Swedish Space Corporation) August, 2015

www.sscspace.com INTRODUCTION

• The demand for independent access to space increases as the Cubesat and small sat market expand • Today’s launch possibilities are limited and with random orbit insertion • There is a need for dedicated launch capabilities • Several initiatives are currently ongoing • SSC has initiated project Rainbow, with the aim to establish a dedicated launch capability for small sats from Esrange, Sweden; Small Sat Express www.sscspace.com ESRANGE SPACE CENTER

A hot spot above the arctic circle

www.sscspace.com ESRANGE SPACE CENTER - 68°N, 21°E

• Established in 1966 by ESRO (now ESA) • Owned and operated by SSC since 1972 • Launch services for the international scientific community • Sounding rockets for microgravity and atmospheric research • High altitude balloons for astronomy, atmospheric research and drop tests • Hosts one of the world’s largest civilian satellite ground station (hub in PrioraNet)

www.sscspace.com GLOBAL AIR TRAFFIC

www.sscspace.com 5 NEW ESRANGE

• The facility is undergoing a major modernization • Expansion of capabilities to become a center of excellence for: • Space tests and operations to meet the increasing demand of access to space • Launching of small satellites

www.sscspace.com SMALLSAT EXPRESS A “NO-NONSENSE” LAUNCH SERVICE

www.sscspace.com THE CONCEPT:

• 1-150 kg payload mass. CubeSats are target payloads. • Standardized sun synchronous orbit: • h=500 km, i=97,4° • Ascending node at 2200, 0600, and 1400 local solar time • Fixed launch periods: 1-4 times per year • Deploy a constellation in three consecutive launches covering every local time • “Green” launch site, no hydrazine

www.sscspace.com ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

www.sscspace.com GROUND NETWORK SERVICES

• Automated and standardized ground network services • Small antenna network • 9 to 10 locations • Geographically optimized for frequent, high capacity data download and satellite tasking • Fully automated operations with customer interfaces, automatic access or manually via internet • LEOP communication

www.sscspace.com CubeSat propulsion module To provide additional function or performance of the mission such as: Detumbling, orbit corrections, constellation deployment, life extension or de-orbit.

NanoSpace standard propulsion module specification: • Four 1mN thrusters with closed loop thrust control • Propellant: Butane • Total impulse: 40Ns • Size: 10*10*3cm • Mass: 250g • Operating pressure: 2-5 bar • Power consumption: 2 W (average, operating)

www.sscspace.com Possible life extension of a 3U cubesat using propulsion

With std. propulsion With extended propulsion module (0,3U/0,3kg) module (0,6U/0,5kg Altitude Sat size Natural Life Life increase Life Increase

300 km 3U 2m 4d 3m 11d +56% 6m 10d +197% 350 km 3U 6m 24d 10m 8d +50% 1y 6m +167% 400 km 3U 1y 7m 2y 4m +46% 4y 1m +159% 450 km 3U 4y 2m 6y +44% ~10y +140%

Note: Orbital life depends on a number factors such as ballistic coefficient, solar activity, etc. so the number are estimates assuming a typical 3U cubesat with a mass of 4 kg.

www.sscspace.com RAINBOW PROJECT STATUS

• Phase A study completed 2013. Result: it is technically feasible to implement a satellite launch service at Esrange • Phase B1 study ongoing. • Concentrates on ensuring program engagement and momentum in Sweden • Prepatory inventory of possible launchers • To be completed autumn 2015 • Phase B2 study scheduled to start early 2016 • Flight safety risk assessment based on selected launcher • Infrastructure design at Esrange • Orbit raiser design (concept and main engine). ECAPS’ High Performance Green Propulsion, the preferable choice for an orbit raiser • Goal: to launch small satellites from Esrange by 2020

www.sscspace.com ESRANGE IN 2021 A SNAPSHOT

… 3, 2, 1, Lift-off! ”Green” launch site

Simultaneous rocket and balloon campaigns

At the site for the launches Scientific ground instruments

At site for long duration projects

Satellite Management Off site, via internet Services