DOCSLIB.ORG

Little Leos and Their Launchers

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Little Leos and Their Launchers LITTLE LEOS AND THEIR LAUNCHERS J. P. Schulz Federal bureaucrats, much-maligned in today's for, and possible consequences of, international regu- political climate, sometimes make decisions that ma- lation of the commercial development of space re- terially enhance our individual lives.' These deci- sources. This Comment concludes that Little LEOs sions are perhaps nowhere more evident than within present the FCC and other agencies with the first of the processes by which regulatory agencies open new several practical models on which to base an interna- avenues for technological advance. An ongoing pro- tional legal regime for governing a broad range of cess that fits this description well is the Federal commercial activities in space. Communications Commission's ("FCC" or "Com- mission") and other agencies' efforts to establish an I. LITTLE LEOS DEFINED equitable set of rules that will permit competing tele- communications companies to launch and operate The term "Mobile Satellite Systems" ("MSS") new satellite systems in low earth orbits. These are encompasses a number of emerging communications known as LEO systems ("LEOs"). technologies that will offer new services or will offer LEOs promise a wide range of communications established services in new ways.' Examples of these services that will be available to individuals and services include portable telephones that can operate businesses worldwide.' Technical developments, bus- from any location in the world' and digital audio ra- iness decisions, and corresponding rulemaking dio programs that can deliver compact disc-quality processes are moving inexorably toward deployment music that will not fade from a car's stereo system and operational stages.' Therefore, the communica- during a long-distance drive.' tions lawyer should be aware not only of what LEO The satellites that will constitute the essential link systems are, but also of some of the existing domestic between the service provider and the end user will and international laws that these systems bring into orbit the Earth in one of four regions in space: 1) the play. geostationary orbit ("GSO"), an extremely narrow This Comment focuses on the proposed "Little circular path in space that lies 22,300 miles above LEO" systems and the legal issues that their con- the earth's surface and directly above the equator; 2) struction, deployment, and operation raise. Part I de- mid-Earth orbits ("MEOs"), circular orbits approxi- fines Little LEOs. Part II takes the reader through a mately 5,000 to 10,000 miles above the surface of the history of the FCC's involvement with Little LEO earth (not necessarily above the equator); 3) highly- system developments. Part III discusses the vehicles elliptical orbits ("HEOs"), specialized orbits on necessary to deploy the systems. Finally, Part IV which a satellite continuously swings very close to analyzes the proposed systems in relation to the need the Earth, loops out into space and then repeats its ' A recently-published political cartoon highlights the popu- Service, Public Notice, 9 FCC Rcd. 695 (1994) [hereinafter lar sentiment and underscores the point. It depicts a homeown- MSS Public Notice]. ing couple clinging for their lives to a piece of debris, afloat ' Andrew C. Barrett & Byron F. Marchant, Emerging above their flooded-to-the-rooftop property. A speedboat bearing Technologies and Personal Communications Services: Regula- the letters F.E.M.A. motors toward them. One of the homeown- tory Issues, 1 CoMMLAW CONSPECTUS 3, 3 (1993). ers waves frantically and says: "Thank Goodness! A Federal Bu- reaucrat!!" Below the couple, prominently displayed in their ' This is the goal of several of the Big LEO systems. See submerged front lawn, is a large sign that reads: "Get The Gov- infra materials accompanying note 11; see also Frieden, supra ' ernment Off Our Backs! WASH. POST, Jan. 14, 1995, at A25. note 3, at 34-35. I See generally Rob Frieden, Satellites in the Wireless 0 See Patrick Seitz, FCC To Hasten Licensing, SPACE Revolution: The Need for Realistic Perspectives, TELECOMMU- NEWS, Jan. 16-22, 1995, at 4, 4. The signals will not fade be- NICATIONS, June 1994, at 33, 33. cause satellite-based retransmission extends the broadcast cover- 3 See, e.g., Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary Mobile Satellite age area to include the entire United States. Id. COMMLAW CONSPECTUS [Vol. 3 swing-by; and 4) circular low-Earth orbits II. HISTORY OF THE PROPOSED ("LEOs")." LEOs range in altitude from approxi- SYSTEMS mately 100 to 1,000 miles above the earth's surface.' The satellites that are designed to fly in low earth Conventional communication satellites make use orbits are also called LEOs. of the unique geostationary orbit ("GSO"). 1'4 A sat- The LEO systems currently under development ellite in the GSO-and in no other orbit-will ap- pear to remain motionless above a particular spot on have been divided into two classifications: "Big 1 5 LEOs" and "Little LEOs."9 Systems in both classifi- the globe. This unique feature of the GSO allows cations will be composed of multiple satellites.1 ground-based transmitting and receiving antennas to be aimed at (and fixed on) an unchanging location in Big LEOs will operate at frequencies above one space. 6 Until recently, a spacecraft in any orbit Gigahertz ("GHz"), and will offer a full range of other than the GSO had to be tracked continuously both voice and data services.11 Little LEO systems, from the ground-a fact that required several by contrast, will operate at frequencies below 1 ground-based tracking stations to be positioned at GHz, and are capable of transmitting data only. 2 various points around the world.1 7 As a satellite rose Little LEOs will be able to deliver inexpensive above the horizon and passed over a tracking station, FAX, e-mail, and position-finding services to any that station would "pick up the bird" and then, as point on the globe.1 the satellite dipped below the horizon, "hand off" its 7 Martyn Warwick, An Embarrassment of Systems, COM- Organization (Inmarsat) called Project 21. Sandra Sugawara, A MUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, May 1994, at 51, 51. Glut Around the Globe?, WASH. POST, Sept. 13, 1994, at Dl. ' Id. While these conventional divisions of near-earth space See also Frieden, supra note 2, at 34. are widely accepted, specific labels and corresponding altitudes 1" Frieden, supra note 2, at 34. See also, In re Amendment will vary somewhat. See, e.g., HEATHER E. HUDSON, COMMU- of the Commission's Rules to Establish Rules and Policies Per- NICATION SATELLITES 5 (1990) (describing inter alia low earth taining to a Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary Mobile-Satellite orbits as less than 300 miles above the earth). Each of these re- Service, Report and Order, 8 FCC Rcd. 8450, para. 2 (1993) gions provides unique advantages and drawbacks for the de- [hereinafter NVNG Report and Order]. In FCC nomenclature, signer, manufacturer, and/or operator of any given system. a Little LEO is a "Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary Mobile Sat- Warwick, supra note 7, at 51. For example, the higher a satel- ellite Service" ("NVNG MSS"). Id. lite flies, the larger its footprint can be. Id. (A footprint is a 11 See Joseph Pelton, Will SmallSat Markets Be Large? satellite's area of coverage.) On the other hand, the higher a sat- SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS, Feb. 1993, at 42, 42. Positioning ellite flies, the farther its signals will have to travel, and there- data may be used to help rescue teams locate emergency sites fore the more powerful, heavy, complex and expensive it will be quickly, or may be used in business to monitor the movements of to manufacture, launch and maintain. Id. trucks, boats, planes, shipments or other assets. See Kathleen I See Frieden, supra note 2, at 34. Day, Orbital to Buy Positioning Firm, WASH. POST, Nov. 29, 10 Id. 1994, at C3. " Id. Big LEOs promise global wireless communication net- 14 See HUDSON, supra note 8, at 5. works that consumers can access using compact handsets. This 15 Id. at 3. The GSO lies in the earth's equatorial plane at promise has attracted the attention of developing countries that the orbital altitude (or height above earth) where the velocity would like to obtain Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) with- necessary to keep a spacecraft in a circular orbit is exactly equal out having to pay for and install the same vast ground-based to the earth's rotational velocity. Id. at 4-5. This means that a infrastructure that developed countries now use for conventional satellite on the GSO circles the earth at exactly the same propor- service. For this and other reasons, Big LEOs have generated tional speed that a spot directly beneath it on the earth's equator substantial press attention. Probably the most well-known of the turns around the earth's axis of rotation (an imaginary line that Big LEO systems is the 66-satellite Iridium project. Iridium, passes through the earth's north and south poles). Id. Thus, Inc., is an international consortium headed by Motorola, and is from anywhere on the earth (whether north or south of the currently slated to begin offering services in 1998. Id. See also equator), the satellite appears to be "standing still" in a fixed Patrick Seitz, Iridium Venture Sews Up Equity Financing, position in space. Id. at 4-5, 246. SPACE NEWS, Sept. 26-Oct. 2, 1994, at 16. As of October, 1994, 16 Id. at 246. The GSO also enables communications service Iridium had raised $1.57 billion in equity. Id. Other companies providers to achieve global coverage with as few as three satel- that have applied to the FCC for Big LEO licenses include lites.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Preface Patrick Besha, Editor Alexander Macdonald, Editor in The
    EARLY DRAFT - NASAWATCH.COM/SPACEREF.COM Preface Patrick Besha, Editor Alexander MacDonald, Editor In the next decade, NASA will seek to expand humanity’s presence in space beyond the International Space Station in low-Earth orbit to a new habitation platform orbiting the moon. By the late 2020’s, astronauts will live and work far deeper in space than ever before. The push to cis-lunar orbit is part of a stepping-stone approach to extend our reach to Mars and beyond. This decision to explore ever farther destinations is a familiar pattern in the history of American space exploration. Another major pattern with historical precedent is the transition from public sector exploration to private sector commercialization. After the government has developed and demonstrated a capability in space, whether it be space-based communications or remote sensing, the private sector has realized its market potential. As new companies establish a presence, the government withdraws from the market. In 2015, we are once again at a critical stage in the development of space. The most successful long-term human habitation in space, orbiting the Earth continuously since 1998, is the International Space Station. Currently at the apex of its capabilities and the pinnacle of state-of-the-art space systems, it was developed through the investments and labors of over a dozen nations and is regularly re-supplied by cargo delivery services. Its occupants include six astronauts and numerous other organisms from Earth’s ecosystems from bacteria to plants to rats. Research is conducted on the spacecraft from hundreds of organizations worldwide ranging from academic institutions to large industrial companies and from high-tech start-ups to high-school science classes.
    [Show full text]
  • Preparation of Papers for AIAA Technical Conferences
    DUKSUP: A Computer Program for High Thrust Launch Vehicle Trajectory Design & Optimization Spurlock, O.F.I and Williams, C. H.II NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, 44135 From the late 1960’s through 1997, the leadership of NASA’s Intermediate and Large class unmanned expendable launch vehicle projects resided at the NASA Lewis (now Glenn) Research Center (LeRC). One of LeRC’s primary responsibilities --- trajectory design and performance analysis --- was accomplished by an internally-developed analytic three dimensional computer program called DUKSUP. Because of its Calculus of Variations-based optimization routine, this code was generally more capable of finding optimal solutions than its contemporaries. A derivation of optimal control using the Calculus of Variations is summarized including transversality, intermediate, and final conditions. The two point boundary value problem is explained. A brief summary of the code’s operation is provided, including iteration via the Newton-Raphson scheme and integration of variational and motion equations via a 4th order Runge-Kutta scheme. Main subroutines are discussed. The history of the LeRC trajectory design efforts in the early 1960’s is explained within the context of supporting the Centaur upper stage program. How the code was constructed based on the operation of the Atlas/Centaur launch vehicle, the limits of the computers of that era, the limits of the computer programming languages, and the missions it supported are discussed. The vehicles DUKSUP supported (Atlas/Centaur, Titan/Centaur, and Shuttle/Centaur) are briefly described. The types of missions, including Earth orbital and interplanetary, are described. The roles of flight constraints and their impact on launch operations are detailed (such as jettisoning hardware on heating, Range Safety, ground station tracking, and elliptical parking orbits).
    [Show full text]
  • 555/Of 474- 70
    555/of 474- 70/ A PERSPECTIVE ON THE USE OF STORABLE PROPELLANTS FOR FUTURE SPACE VEHICLE PROPULSION William C. Boyd and Warren L. Brasher NASA, Johnson Space Center 0 O"0 Houston, Texas 0 ABSTRACT Propulsion system configurations for future NASA and DOD space initiatives are driven by the continually emerging new mission requirements. These initiatives cover an extremely wide range of mission scenarios, from unmanned planetary pro- grams, to manned lunar and planetary programs, to Earth-oriented ('Mission to Planet Earth) programs, and they are in addition to existing and future require- ments for near-Eirth missions such as to geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO). Increasing space transportation costs, and anticipated high costs associated with space-basing of future vehicles, necessitate consideration of cost-effective and easily maintainable configurations which maximize the use of ex-Isting technologies and assets, and use budgetary resources effectively. System design considerations associated with the use of storable propellants to fill these needs are presented. Comparisons in areas such as ccrrplexity, performance, flexibility, maintainabili- ty, and technology status are made for earth and space storable propellants, cluding nitrogen tetroxide/monomethylhydrazine and LOX/monomethylhydrazine. INTRODUCTION As the nation approaches the next century, some very harsh realities mist be faced, and some equally important decisions will be made. The economic and progranrnatic realities of space flight, and of space vehicle development and oper- ation, have been forced home. We have learned that space systems are expensive and conplex, require a long time to develop, and are allowed very little margin for error. In spite of these realities, however, we know that doing business in space in the future is going to require significant advances in orbital capability over what is currently available.
    [Show full text]
  • Regulation of Global Broadband Satellite Communications April 2012
    REGULATORY & MARKET ENVIRONMENT International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Development Bureau Place des Nations CH-1211 Geneva 20 REGULATION OF Switzerland www.itu.int GLOBAL BROADBAND SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS Broadband Series APRIL 2012 Printed in Switzerland Telecommunication Development Sector Geneva, 2012 04/2012 Regulation of Global Broadband Satellite Communications April 2012 . This report has been prepared for ITU by Rajesh Mehrotra, Founder and Principal Consultant, Red Books. The report benefited from extensive review and guidance from the team of the Regulatory and Market Environment Division (RME) of the Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). ITU wishes to express thanks to John Alden for editing the paper and to the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) for their comments and advice. This report is part of a new series of ITU reports on broadband that are available online and free of charge at the ITU Universe of Broadband portal: www.itu.int/broadband. Please consider the environment before printing this report. ITU 2012 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the prior written permission of ITU. Regulation of global broadband satellite communications Table of Contents Page Preface .......................................................................................................................................... iii Foreword .....................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • COMMERCIALIZING the TRANSFER ORBIT STAGE Michael W. Miller
    COMMERCIALIZING THE TRANSFER ORBIT STAGE Michael W. Miller Orbital Sciences Corporation Vienna, Virginia 22 180 ABSTRACT Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC), a technically-based management, marketing, and financial corporation, was formed in 1982 to provide economical space transportation hardware and services to commercial and government users. As its first project, OSC is developing a new medium-capacity upper stage for use on NASA’s Space Shuttle, called the TOS. Before the TOS project successfully entered the development stage, many obstacles for a new company operat- ing in the established space industry had to be overcome. This paper describes key milestones necessary to establish this new commercial space endeavor. Historical milestones began with the selection of the project concept and synthesis of the company. This was followed by venture capital support which led to early discussions with NASA and the selection of a major aerospace company as prime contractor. A landmark agree- ment with NASA sanctioned the commercial TOS concept and provided the critical support necessary to raise the next round of venture capital. Future challenges including project management and customer commitments are also discussed. BACKGROUND Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC), a technically-based management, marketing, and financial corporation, was formed in 1982 to provide economical space transportation hardware and services to commercial and government users. As its first project, OSC is developing a new medium-capacity upper stage-for use on NASA’s Space Shuttle,called the Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS). The TOS project represents an evolutionary milestone in the nation’s attempts to com- mercialize space. Responding to the Reagan administration’s mandate and to Congressional guidelines, NASA is encouraging private-sector initiatives in space activities.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of Space Law
    JOURNAL OF SPACE LAW VOLUME 17, NUMBER 2 1989 JOURNAL OF SPACE LAW A journal devoted to the legal problems arising out of human activities in outer space VOLUME 17 1989 NUMBER 2 EDITORIAL BOARD AND ADVISORS BERGER, HAROLD GALLOWAY, ElLENE Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Washington, D.C. BOCKSTIEGEL, KARL-HEINZ GOEDHUIS, D. Cologne, Germany London, England BOu:R:EL Y, MICHEL G. HE, QIZHI Paris, France Beijing, China COCCA, ALDO ARMANDO JASENTULrYANA,NANDASnu Buenes Aires, Atgentina New York, N.Y. DEMBLlNG, PAUL G. KOPAL, VLADIMIR Washington, D. C. Prague, Czechoslovakia DIEDERIKS-VERSCHOOR, LH. PH. MCDOUGAL, MYRES S. Baarn, Holland New Haven, Connecticut FASAN, ERNST VERESHCHETIN, V.S. N eunkirchen, Austria Moscow, U.S.S.R. FINCH, EDWARD R., JR. ZANOTtI, ISODORO New York, N.Y. Washington; D.C. STEPHEN GOROVE, Chairman University, Mississippi All correspondence with reference to this publication should be directed to the Journal of Space Law, University of Mississippi Law Center, University, Mississippi 38677. Journal of Space Law. The subscription rate for 1990 is $59 domestic and $64 foreign for two issues. Single issues may be ordered at $32 per issue. Copyright @ Journal of Space Law 1989. Suggested abbreviation: J. Space L. JOURNAL OF SPACE LAW A Journal devoted to the legal problems arising out of human activities in outer space VOLUME 17 1989 NUMBER 2 STUDENT EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS John Brister Burns - Editor Jacqueline Lee Haney - Editor Michael T. Circeo MIchael D. Herring MIchael D. Moore Tanya H. Nicholson Candidates Rhonda G. Davis Durwin B. Govan Robin R. Hutchison Kenneth L. Johnston Sondra L. Simpson FACULTY ADVISER STEPHEN GOROVE All correspondence with reference to this publication should be directed to the Journal of Space Law, University of Mississippi Law Center, University, Mississippi 38677.
    [Show full text]
  • The Political Economy of Orbit Spectrum Leasing
    Michigan Journal of International Law Volume 5 Issue 1 1984 The Political Economy of Orbit Spectrum Leasing Harvey Levin Hofstra Universtiy Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mjil Part of the Air and Space Law Commons, and the Science and Technology Law Commons Recommended Citation Harvey Levin, The Political Economy of Orbit Spectrum Leasing, 5 MICH. J. INT'L L. 41 (1984). Available at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mjil/vol5/iss1/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Michigan Journal of International Law at University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Michigan Journal of International Law by an authorized editor of University of Michigan Law School Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Political Economy of Orbit Spectrum Leasing Harvey Levin* INTRODUCTION This article I will propose several plans for allocating a common resource of the earth-the international orbit spectrum--among nations through mechanisms designed to introduce market incentives. The rights to orbital "parking places" are so defined as to permit their subdivision, recombina- tion, and assignment in lease markets. 2 The lease market approach accom- modates the interests of both developed countries (DCs), who have the technology and domestic demand to establish satellite systems today, and less-developed countries (LDCs), who seek long-range planning to guar- antee them access to the orbit spectrum at a time in the future when they, too, possess the capability and need. 3 In the interim, this plan will provide LDCs with income as the lessors of orbital slots they cannot currently use.
    [Show full text]
  • CONGRESS of the INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICAL FEDERATION BUDAPEST HUNGARY 10-15 OCTOBER 1983 M M XXXIV CONGRESS of the INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICAL FEDERATION
    INIS-jnf—8969 BUDAPLCi <*» CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICAL FEDERATION BUDAPEST HUNGARY 10-15 OCTOBER 1983 m m XXXIV CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICAL FEDERATION ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS BUDAPEST, HUMGABr Oct. 10-15, FOREWORD Abstracts included in this book art ordered according to the IAF nuuber assigned to each paper eooepted for presentation at XZZI? IAP Congress. Experience hae shown that the chosen arrangement is the nost conrenient one and allows the easiest access to the abstraots. The IA? paper nuBber can be found in the Final Programe of the Congress under: - the Technical Session,wbere the paper is presented - the author's name, listed at the end of the Programe. The Abstracts of the Student Conference and of Space Law Colloquium are at the end of this book. Abstracts of papers arriTed later than August 1st are not included in thie collection. ftingarian Astronautieal Society - 2 - IAr-83~O1 EXOSAT/DELTA - DEMONSTRATED SHORT-TERM BACKUP LAUIfCHER CAPABILITY THROUGH INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION by J. K. Oanoung, Manager, Spacecraft Integration, Delta Program McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Company G. Altnann, EXOSAT Project Manager, European Space Agency P. Eaton, Chief, Expendable Launch Vehicle Programs National Aeronautics and Space Administration J. D. Kraft, Delta Mission Analysis and Integration Manager, National Aeronautics and Space Administration ABSTRACT An important exploration of eosnie x-ray sources currently under wey Wan made possible by a unique example of international cooperation. The EXOSAT spacecraft, designed, developed, qualified, and prepared for launch by the European Space Agency (ESA), was successfully launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Delta launch vehicle in May 1983* EXOSAT was originally scheduled for launch on the European Ariane rocket, but due to unforeseen schedule realignments, ESA, in cooperation with NASA, selected the Delta for this mission in February 1983.
    [Show full text]
  • No. 19 – Satellites and Their Applications – October 2019
    Briefing ___ Satellites and ___ October 2019 19 their Applications Summary The applications of Earth-orbiting satellites impact all sectors of activity and greatly affect everyone’s daily life. There have recently been many technological breakthroughs, with more still to come. Competition is global and significant economic and sovereignty issues are at stake. During the European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial Council to be held on 27 and 28 November 2019 in Seville, Spain, the Member States will be called upon to take major decisions for the coming decade. In this perspective, we must ensure balance in French funding, which has historically prioritised launchers, in favour of support for technical innovation in satellites and the downstream end of the space ecosystem. As for launchers, we must clarify the Galileo will operate with 27 satellites in orbit European governance in order to coordinate our resources and © ESA - P. Carril maintain our scientific and industrial leadership. Mr. Jean-Luc Fugit, MP (National Assembly) As described in the Office's Science and technology (*): Briefing no. 9, launchers attract attention by conveying Key figures for the space sector in 2018 an image of conquest to the public, alongside the Downstream: commercial revenue stake of sovereignty in access to space that they rep- resent.1 Satellites, and especially their applications, are €121.5 billion: telecoms. (+4.4% over 5 years) less well known, despite being of significant economic €115.8 billion: navigation (+9% over 5 years) and social benefit. They impact all sectors of activity, €4.2 billion: Earth observation (+16.2% over production methods and value chains, and we all 5 years) benefit from their services daily.
    [Show full text]
  • INTEGRATED SPACE PLAN (Preliminary)
    CRITICAL PATH AMERICAN SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM INTEGRATED SPACE PLAN Space Transportation (NSTS) Systems Division FIRST INTERNATIONAL RMS GENERATION EXPENDABLE LAUNCH (INTERNATIONAL) OF VEHICLE FLEET (Preliminary) IUS UNITED STATES LAUNCH VEHICLE CAPABILITES REUSABLE SPACECRAFT PRIVATE LAUNCH VERSION 1.1 FEBRUARY, 1989 VEHICLE # TO LEO # TO GEO GEO-CIRCULAR FIRST FLIGHT VEHICLES ALS 200,000 1998 * THE AMERICAN SPACE SHUTTLE (ELV’S) EMU SHUTTLE C 150,000 20,000 (CENTAUR) 1994 1983 PRODUCED BY RONALD M. JONES D/385-210 SPACE 55,000 5,500 (IUS) 1981 1983 * CHALLENGER OV-099 SHUTTLE 6,500 (TOS) * COLUMBIA OV-102 ABOUT THIS DIAGRAM: TITAN 4 40,000 12,500 10,000 (CENTAUR) 1989 OV-103 * DISCOVERY GOVERNMENT - The Rockwell Integrated Space Plan (ISP) is a very long range systematic perspective of America’s and the TITAN 3 33,000 8,600 4,200 (IUS) 1965 MMU * ATLANTIS OV-104 COMMERCIAL SATELLITE Western World’s space program. Its 100-plus-year vision was created from the integration of numerous NASA ATLAS 2 14,400 5,200 2,500 1991 EARTH-TO-ORBIT * TBD OV-105 DEPLOYMENT long-range studies including the project Pathfinder case studies, recommendations from the National ATLAS 1 12,300 1959 AND IN-SPACE Commission on Space’s report to the President, the Ride report to the NASA Administrator, and the new DELTA 2 11,100 3,190 1,350 (PAM-D) 1988 SATELLITE RETRIEVAL * THE SOVIET SPACE SHUTTLE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS National Space Policy Directive. Special initiatives such as the four Pathfinder scenarios or those described in DELTA 7,800 1960 AND SERVICING * BURAN the Ride Report (i.e., Mission To Planet Earth, Exploration of the Solar System, Outpost on the Moon, and TITAN 2 5,500 1965 DEFENSE SATELLITES Humans to Mars) are integral parts of the ISP.
    [Show full text]
  • Spacecraft Chemical Propulsion Systems at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center: Heritage and Capabilities
    Spacecraft Chemical Propulsion Systems at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center: Heritage and Capabilities Patrick S. McRight*, Jeffrey A. Sheehyt, and John A. Blevins' NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL 35812 NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is well known €or its contributions to large ascent propulsion systems such as the Saturn V and the Space Shuttle. This paper highlights a lesser known but equally rich side of MSFC - its heritage in spacecraft chemical propulsion systems and its current capabilities for in-space propulsion system development and chemical propulsion research. The historical narrative describes the efforts associated with developing upper-stage main propulsion systems such as the Saturn S-IVB as well as orbital maneuvering and reaction control systems such as the S-IVB auxiliary propulsion system, the Skylab thruster attitude control system, and many more recent activities such as Chandra, the Demonstration of Automated Rendezvous Technology, X-37, the X-38 de-orbit propulsion system, the Interim Control Module, the US Propulsion Module, and several technology development activities. Also discussed are MSFC chemical propulsion research capabilities, along with near- and long-term technology challenges to which MSFC research and system development competencies are relevant. I. Introduction N the days following the launch of Sputnik I on 4 October 1957, the American public eagerly awaited the Isuccessful launch of an American rocket. Weeks later. on 6 December 1957, the US Navy Vanguard rocket exploded on its launch pad at Cape Canaveral. Attention shifted toward the United States backup rocket program, based on the Army Jupiter-C rocket developed by the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama under the direction of Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • SPACE TRANSPORTATION Contents
    Chapter 5 SPACE TRANSPORTATION Contents Page Introduction. ..............103 The Space Transportation Industry . ................103 The providers of Space Transportation Services . .. ...103 Buyers of Space Transportation Services . ................122 Competition in Space Transportation . ......125 Development of Competition . ............125 Assessment of Demand . .................126 Nature of Competition . .. ...128 Effects of Competition . .. ....134 Cooperation in Space Transportation . ..............137 Current Policies. ........................138 Future Policy Options.. .. ....140 List of Tables Table No. Page 5-1. Ariane Flights . ..........115 5-2. Transportation Costs to Geosynchronous Orbit . ......................132 5-3. NASA vs. Arianespace Financing . ..............133 5-4. Companies That Contribute to Manufacturing Japanese Launch Vehicles ..139 List of Figures Figure No. Page 5-1. U.S. Launch vehicles . ..............104 5-2.The Hermes Spaceplane . ..................116 5-3. Foreign National Comparative Launch Vehicle Development. ..........118 5-4. Projection of Future Space Shuttle Demand Rockwell International. ...127 5-5. Outside Users Payload Model Battelle’s Columbus Laboratories . .......,128 5-6. Low Model Market Share by Launch Vehicle . ...............129 5-7. High Model Market Share by Launch Vehicle . .......................130 5-8. Arianespace Financing . ..133 5-9. Rockwell International Estimates That the Shuttle is Most Economical Over ELVs at High-Volume Operations. ............................135
    [Show full text]