2013 Annual Report

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

2013 Annual Report DISH A Nasdaq-100 Company September 19, 2014 Dear DISH Network Shareholder: Every day, we ask DISH employees to come to work “thinking for the long term.” Our pursuit of an agenda of long- term transformation and change for DISH has continued unabated. In fiscal year 2013, we introduced our Hopper® with Sling® receiver into the limelight. With equal fanfare, we launched a number of strategic forays intended to establish a wireless business. This work, along with our recent groundbreaking programming deals, demonstrates our relentless pursuit of long-term value creation for DISH customers, employees and shareholders. Against a backdrop of a rapidly shifting and highly competitive marketplace, we continued to demonstrate operational discipline during 2013. Revenue and net income increased despite the slow growth and increased competition in the pay-TV industry. In 2012, we managed the best churn rate we have seen since 2003. During 2013, we were able to keep churn essentially consistent. Meanwhile, our Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR, now in its third year on the market, continues to be the flagship for our business. With its unique Sling functionality, Hopper delivers a true “TV anywhere” experience to customers in home and on-the-go. The Hopper now serves millions of screens, including tablets and smartphones that use our DISH Anywhere™ app. With the Hopper’s Sling and Hopper Transfers™ features, DISH customers are increasingly taking advantage of the opportunity to watch live and recorded content from their Hoppers using tablets, smartphones and computers. As the very nature of television consumption changes, DISH is giving its customers technology that they can use to participate in the transforming video ecosystem. Our dishNET™ broadband satellite experienced strong growth last year. We added 253,000 net new customers and now have a base exceeding half-a-million broadband subscribers. The inherent value proposition of bundling our broadband offering with our DISH services has not been lost on our customers. In many ways, our recent wireless efforts feel like the middle chapters of an adventure novel. Our pursuit of Sprint, our successful participation in the H-Block auction and our fixed wireless trials have all added to the next chapters of the DISH story. We are convinced that the convergence of video and data over wireless networks using mobile devices is inevitable and will create opportunities for DISH as we work to provide service to our customers anytime, anywhere. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and thank you for your continued support. Sincerely, Charles W. Ergen Chairman of the Board of Directors UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 10-K (Mark One) 7 ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 OR TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _______________ TO ________________. Commission file number: 0-26176 DISH Network Corporation (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Nevada 88-0336997 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 9601 South Meridian Boulevard Englewood, Colorado 80112 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 723-1000 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered Class A common stock, $0.01 par value The Nasdaq Stock Market L.L.C. Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes 7 No Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No 7 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes 7 No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes 7 No Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer 7 Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting (Do not check if a smaller reporting company company) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes No 7 As of June 30, 2013, the aggregate market value of Class A common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $9.0 billion based upon the closing price of the Class A common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market as of the close of business on the last trading day of the month. As of February 14, 2014, the registrant’s outstanding common stock consisted of 219,907,827 shares of Class A common stock and 238,435,208 shares of Class B common stock, each $0.01 par value. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE The following documents are incorporated into this Form 10-K by reference: Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with its 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III. TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements..................................................................................... i Item 1. Business......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Item 1A. Risk Factors................................................................................................................................................... 22 Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.......................................................................................................................... 42 Item 2. Properties....................................................................................................................................................... 42 Item 3. Legal Proceedings.......................................................................................................................................... 42 Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures................................................................................................................................ 53 PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities...................................................................................................... 53 Item 6. Selected Financial Data................................................................................................................................. 55 Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations......................... 59 Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk....................................................................... 87 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.............................................................................................. 88 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure........................ 88 Item 9A. Controls and Procedures................................................................................................................................ 89 Item 9B. Other Information.......................................................................................................................................... 90 PART III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance............................................................................. 91 Item 11. Executive Compensation............................................................................................................................... 91 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters........................................................................................................................................................... 91 Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence............................................... 91 Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.......................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • FCC-06-11A1.Pdf
    Federal Communications Commission FCC 06-11 Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) Annual Assessment of the Status of Competition ) MB Docket No. 05-255 in the Market for the Delivery of Video ) Programming ) TWELFTH ANNUAL REPORT Adopted: February 10, 2006 Released: March 3, 2006 Comment Date: April 3, 2006 Reply Comment Date: April 18, 2006 By the Commission: Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, and Tate issuing separate statements. TABLE OF CONTENTS Heading Paragraph # I. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................. 1 A. Scope of this Report......................................................................................................................... 2 B. Summary.......................................................................................................................................... 4 1. The Current State of Competition: 2005 ................................................................................... 4 2. General Findings ....................................................................................................................... 6 3. Specific Findings....................................................................................................................... 8 II. COMPETITORS IN THE MARKET FOR THE DELIVERY OF VIDEO PROGRAMMING ......... 27 A. Cable Television Service ..............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Complete Document 042612
    Investigation into US Radio Spectrum Policy and Management An Interactive Qualifying Project Report Submitted to the Faculty of the WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Science By Robert A. Over 4/26 /2012 Project Advisor – Professor David I. Spanagel Project Advisor – Professor Alexander M. Wyglinski This report represents work of WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its web site without editorial or peer review. For more information about the projects program at WPI, see http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Projects . Table of Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 7 2 Background ................................................................................................................................... 11 2.1 Radio Spectrum Establishment ............................................................................................... 11 2.1.1 TV Broadcast Frequency Bands ....................................................................................... 12 2.1.2 Mobile Communications Frequency Bands ..................................................................... 15 2.2 Governance and Regulation ................................................................................................... 17 2.2.1 History of US Government Radio Regulation ..................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Escuela Politécnica Nacional Facultad De Ingeniería Eléctrica Y Electrónica
    ESCUELA POLITÉCNICA NACIONAL FACULTAD DE INGENIERÍA ELÉCTRICA Y ELECTRÓNICA DISEÑO DE LA CABECERA (HEAD END) DE UNA EMPRESA DE CATV PARA PROVEER TELEVISIÓN DE ALTA DEFINICIÓN (HDTV) EN LAS CIUDADES DE QUITO Y GUAYAQUIL UTILIZANDO UNA ARQUITECTURA REDUNDANTE PROYECTO PREVIO A LA OBTENCIÓN DEL TÍTULO DE INGENIERO EN ELECTRÓNICA Y TELECOMUNICACIONES LOAIZA FREIRE ALBERTO GABINO [email protected] DIRECTOR: ING. FERNANDO FLORES [email protected] Quito, Noviembre 2011 DECLARACIÓN Yo Alberto Gabino Loaiza Freire, declaró bajo juramento que el trabajo aquí descrito es de mi autoría; que no ha sido previamente presentado para ningún grado o calificación profesional; y, que he consultado las referencias bibliográficas que se incluyen en este documento. A través de la presente declaración cedo mis derechos de propiedad intelectual correspondientes a este trabajo, a la Escuela Politécnica Nacional, según lo establecido por la Ley de Propiedad Intelectual, por su Reglamento y por la normatividad institucional vigente. Alberto Gabino Loaiza Freire CERTIFICACIÓN Certifico que el presente trabajo fue desarrollado por ALBERTO GABINO LOAIZA FREIRE, bajo mi supervisión. Ing. Fernando Flores DIRECTOR DE PROYECTO AGRADECIMIENTO A mi Esposa Daisy Elena por su ayuda y apoyo incondicional. Al Ing. Pablo Vega por su colaboración desinteresada para el desarrollo de este proyecto. Al Ing. Fernando Flores por su acertada guía durante la elaboración de este proyecto. A Grupo TVCable por el auspicio y el apoyo brindado en la realización de este proyecto. DEDICATORIA Se lo dedico muy especialmente al amor de mi vida, a la compañera de mi vida, a mi esposa Daisy Elena. Se lo dedico también a mi familia: a mi Madre que ha sido un ejemplo de vida, a mis hermanas Alex y Carla por el apoyo incondicional en todo momento, y a mi Padre por creer y confiar siempre en mí.
    [Show full text]
  • Fiber-Optic Speed with NO Hidden Monthly Fees Don’T Wait—Connect to Frontier® Fiberoptic Internet for Business Today
    ® INTERNET Fiber-optic speed with NO hidden monthly fees Don’t wait—connect to Frontier® FiberOptic Internet for Business today Step up your business. Step up to fiber. 100/100 Mbps 500/500 Mbps $55.99/mo $95.99/mo for 24 months on new Internet service, plus taxes, governmental surcharges and for 24 months on new Internet service, plus taxes, governmental surcharges one-time charge. Actual speeds may vary. Subject to availability. and one-time charge. Actual speeds may vary. Subject to availability. NO annual commitment NO data caps* or overage charges NO hidden monthly fees PLUS a 2-year price guarantee** NO extra charges for Wi-Fi Does your business need Available now: Next-generation speed. even more speed? Gig Service by Frontier® We’ve got it! See reverse for details. We’ve got the speed to do business your way FiberOptic 100/100 Mbps FiberOptic 500/500 Mbps Fast, reliable speed at an exceptional price with Same great benefits with even more speed Value no hidden monthly fees for your business Ideal for connecting multiple Wi-Fi devices Optimal for providing Wi-Fi for employees Connectivity simultaneously and customers Manage website updates and cloud-based Support high-volume POS transactions, Bandwidth business applications, and support frequent e-commerce and hosted servers; quickly back up file transfers large files online $55.99/mo $95.99/mo for 24 months, plus taxes, governmental surcharges and one-time charge. for 24 months, plus taxes, governmental surcharges and one-time charge. Actual speeds may vary. See details below. Actual speeds may vary.
    [Show full text]
  • On Orbital Debris JEFF FOUST, COLLEGE PARK, Md
    NOVEMBER 24, 2014 SPOTLIGHT Clyde Space See page 12 www.spacenews.com VOLUME 25 ISSUE 46 $4.95 ($7.50 Non-U.S.) PROFILE/22> YVONNE PENDLETON DIRECTOR, SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION RESEARCH VIRTUAL INSTITUTE INSIDE THIS ISSUE LAUNCH INDUSTRY Swift Development of Ariane 6 Urged Applauding the end of a French-German impasse over the Ariane 6 rocket, the European Satellite Operators Association said the vehicle needs to be in service as quickly as possible. See story, page 8 ATK Hints at Antares Engine Selection Alliant Techsystems Chief Executive Mark DeYoung said there are no near-term liquid- propulsion alternatives to Russian engines for U.S. rockets. See story, page 6 ESA PHOTO Virginia May Seek Federal Funds for Wallops > “We have found a compromise that is OK for both countries, for the other participating states and also for industry,” Brigitte Zypries (above), Germany’s Virginia’s two U.S. senators said they may seek federal funds to cover $20 million in repairs to the space minister, said of an agreement under which Germany and France will back the Ariane 6 rocket and scrap the Ariane 5 Midlife Evolution. Wallops Island launch pad damaged when Orbital Sciences’ Antares exploded. See story, page 6 MILITARY SPACE Protected Tactical Waveform Taking Shape German-French Compromise The U.S. Air Force is expected to demonstrate its protected tactical waveform in new modems and reworked terminals as early as 2018. See story, page 11 U.S. To Grant Indirect Access to Space Fence Paves Direct Path to Ariane 6 The Pentagon’s international space surveillance partners will have indirect access to data from the Air Force’s next-generation Space Fence tracking system.
    [Show full text]
  • International Spectrum Workshop Wednesday, June 28, 2017, 09:00 - 18:00 Université Paris-Dauphine, Raymond Aron Conference Room
    International Spectrum Workshop Wednesday, June 28, 2017, 09:00 - 18:00 Université Paris-Dauphine, Raymond Aron Conference Room AGENDA 09:00 – 10:00 Breakfast 10:00 – 10:30 Welcome & Introduction Phil Weiser and Eric Brousseau 10:30 – 11:30 Session 1: Spectrum Allocation and Metrics Moderator: J. Scott Marcus Presenters: Pierre de Vries, Peter Anker, and Jan Kruys Readings: Risk-informed interference assessment: A quantitative basis for spectrum allocation decisions, by Pierre de Vries Sharing license-exempt spectrum based on multi-dimensional metrics, by Johannes (Jan) Kruys, Peter Anker, Roel Schiphorst 11:30 – 12:00 Break 12:00 – 13:00 Session 2: Assignment and Management Moderator: Joëlle Toledano Presenters: Gérard Pogorel and William Webb Readings: Spectrum 5.0 Improving assignment procedures to meet economic and social policy goals – A position paper, by Gérard Pogorel and Erik Bohlin Managed Unlicensed Spectrum, by William Webb 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch 14:00 – 15:00 Session 3: Next-Generation Spectrum Enforcement Moderator: Christopher S. Yoo Presenter: Pierre de Vries Commenter: Didier Chauveau Reading: A Study to Develop the Next Generation Systems Architecture for Radio Spectrum Interference Resolution, by Spectrum and Receiver Performance Working Group, FCC Technological Advisory Council 15:00 – 15:30 Break 15:30 – 16:30 Session 4: Standards and Public Policy Goals Moderator: Howard Shelanski Presenter: Phil Weiser Commenter: Martin Cave Reading: Addressing Public Policy Goals in the Standards Setting Process: The Case of 5G Wireless
    [Show full text]
  • Ciel-2 Satellite Now Operational
    CIEL-2 SATELLITE NOW OPERATIONAL Satellite Completes all Testing and Begins Commercial Service at 129 Degrees West February 5th, 2009 – Ottawa, Canada – The Ciel Satellite Group today announced that its first communications satellite, Ciel-2, has completed all in-orbit testing and has now entered commercial service at the 129 degrees West Longitude orbital position. The new satellite was launched last December 10 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and will be providing high-definition (HD) television services to the North American market, primarily for anchor customer DISH Network Corporation. “We are very pleased that Ciel-2 has successfully completed all of its initial testing, and are excited about its entry into commercial operations,” said Brian Neill, Executive Chairman of Ciel. “The support of many parties, particularly our shareholders and Industry Canada, has been central to our success, and we look forward to a bright future of serving customers for many years to come throughout North America.” About Ciel-2 Built by Thales Alenia Space, Ciel-2 is the largest Spacebus class spacecraft ever built, weighing 5,592 kg at launch; Ciel-2 is expected to operate for at least 15 years. The new BSS spacecraft is capable of serving all regions of Canada visible from 129 degrees West, as well as the larger North American market. The Ciel Satellite Group was awarded the license for 129 degrees West by Industry Canada in October 2004. Ciel-2 will be operated from the new Satellite Operations Centre at SED Systems located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Ciel-2 satellite is designed to provide 10.6 kilowatts of power to the communications payload at end of life, which consists of 32 Ku-band transponders.
    [Show full text]
  • Federal Register/Vol. 85, No. 103/Thursday, May 28, 2020
    32256 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 103 / Thursday, May 28, 2020 / Proposed Rules FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS closes-headquarters-open-window-and- presentation of data or arguments COMMISSION changes-hand-delivery-policy. already reflected in the presenter’s 7. During the time the Commission’s written comments, memoranda, or other 47 CFR Part 1 building is closed to the general public filings in the proceeding, the presenter [MD Docket Nos. 19–105; MD Docket Nos. and until further notice, if more than may provide citations to such data or 20–105; FCC 20–64; FRS 16780] one docket or rulemaking number arguments in his or her prior comments, appears in the caption of a proceeding, memoranda, or other filings (specifying Assessment and Collection of paper filers need not submit two the relevant page and/or paragraph Regulatory Fees for Fiscal Year 2020. additional copies for each additional numbers where such data or arguments docket or rulemaking number; an can be found) in lieu of summarizing AGENCY: Federal Communications original and one copy are sufficient. them in the memorandum. Documents Commission. For detailed instructions for shown or given to Commission staff ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. submitting comments and additional during ex parte meetings are deemed to be written ex parte presentations and SUMMARY: In this document, the Federal information on the rulemaking process, must be filed consistent with section Communications Commission see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 1.1206(b) of the Commission’s rules. In (Commission) seeks comment on several section of this document. proceedings governed by section 1.49(f) proposals that will impact FY 2020 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: of the Commission’s rules or for which regulatory fees.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Matter of ) ) Expanding Flexible Use of the ) WT Docket No
    Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, DC 20554 _______________________________________ ) In the Matter of ) ) Expanding Flexible Use of the ) WT Docket No. 20-443 12.-12.7 GHz Band ) ) Expanding Flexible Use in Mid-Band Spectrum ) GN Docket No. 17-183 Between 3.7-24 GHz ) ) ) REPLY COMMENTS OF DISH NETWORK CORPORATION Jeff Blum, Executive Vice President, Pantelis Michalopoulos External & Legislative Affairs Christopher Bjornson Alison Minea, Director & Senior Counsel Andrew M. Golodny Hadass Kogan, Director & Senior Counsel Travis West DISH NETWORK CORPORATION STEPTOE & JOHNSON LLP 1110 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 450 1330 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005 Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 463-3702 (202) 429-3000 Counsel for DISH Network Corporation July 7, 2021 Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY .............................................................................. 1 II. A BROAD SPECTRUM OF PUBLIC INTEREST AND BUSINESS ENTITIES, INCLUDING DISINTERESTED ENTITIES, SUPPORTS 5G IN THE BAND ............. 7 III. THE PROPOSAL’S FEW OPPONENTS DO NOT CLOSE THE DOOR TO 5G IN THE BAND .................................................................................................................. 9 IV. SHARING IS EMINENTLY FEASIBLE ....................................................................... 10 A. Sharing Is Possible Between Higher-Power Two-Way Terrestrial Services and DBS ............................................................................................................... 10
    [Show full text]
  • FCC-02-116A1.Pdf
    Federal Communications Commission FCC 02-116 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) Amendment of Parts 2 and 25 of the Commission’s ) ET Docket No. 98-206 Rules to Permit Operation of NGSO FSS Systems ) RM-9147 Co-Frequency with GSO and Terrestrial Systems in ) RM-9245 the Ku-Band Frequency Range; ) ) Amendment of the Commission’s Rules to ) Authorize Subsidiary Terrestrial Use of the ) 12.2-12.7 GHz Band by Direct Broadcast Satellite ) Licensees and Their Affiliates; and ) ) Applications of Broadwave USA, PDC Broadband ) Corporation, and Satellite Receivers, Ltd. to ) Provide A Fixed Service in the 12.2-12.7 GHz ) Band ) MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER AND SECOND REPORT AND ORDER Adopted: April 11, 2002 Released: May 23, 2002 By the Commission: Chairman Powell and Commissioner Abernathy issuing a joint statement; Commissioners Copps and Martin approving in part, dissenting in part, and issuing separate statements. TABLE OF CONTENTS Paragraph Number I. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 1 II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. 4 III. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................. 5 IV. MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER A. Notice under the Administrative Procedure Act ..............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • MT Aerospace (Germany)
    https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20080014278 2019-08-30T04:19:50+00:00Z European Directions for Hypersonic Thermal Protection Systems and Hot Structures 31st Annual Conference on Composites Materials and Structures Daytona Beach, FL January 22, 2007 David E. Glass NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681 Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited Agenda ♦ Background • Comments on prior ESA workshop • X-38 • Hopper ♦ Flight Vehicle Based Technology Development • IXV (ESA) • EXPERT (ESA) • USV (Italy) • SHEFEX (Germany) • SHyFE (UK) • LEA (France) • Foton (Russia) ♦ Non-Vehicle Specific Technology ♦ Concluding Remarks 2 European TPS and Hot Structures Research and Development ♦TPS and hot structures research and development critical for future space vehicles ♦Developing next generation TPS and hot structures technology (not Space Shuttle derived technology) ♦Long-term funding based on technology needs ♦Wide industry support and commitment to X-38 program ♦Test facilities developed for TPS and hot structures development • Thermal/structural test chamber • Arc-jet tunnels developed in recent years ♦Technology development has broad base • Fabrication • Testing • Large components • Fasteners • Bearings • Oxidation protection • Damage repair • Life cycle Wayne Sawyer comments from previous ESA TPS & Hot Structures Workshop 3 European TPS and Hot Structures Research and Development ♦ Proposing numerous experimental launch vehicles dedicated to or with TPS and hot structures research of prime consideration ♦ Committing significant
    [Show full text]
  • Mission Analysis and Preliminary Re-Entry Trajectory Design of the DLR Reusability Flight Experiment Refex
    8TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE FOR AERONAUTICS AND SPACE SCIENCES (EUCASS) Mission Analysis and Preliminary Re-entry Trajectory Design of the DLR Reusability Flight Experiment ReFEx Sven Stappert*, Peter Rickmers*, Waldemar Bauer*, Martin Sippel* *German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Space Systems, Robert-Hooke-Straße 7, 28359 Bremen [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract Driven by the recently increased demand for investigating reusable launchers, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is currently developing the Reusability Flight Experiment (ReFEx). The goal is to demonstrate the capability of performing an atmospheric re-entry, representative of a possible future winged reusable stage, and to develop and test key technologies for such reusable stages. The flight demonstrator ReFEx shall perform a controlled and autonomous re-entry from hypersonic velocity of approximately Mach 5 down to subsonic velocity after separation from the VSB-30 booster. The focus of this paper is the re-entry trajectory design for the ReFEx mission. Abbreviations AoA Angle of Attack AVS Avionics BC Ballistic Coefficient BoGC Begin of Guided Control CALLISTO Cooperative Action Leading to Launcher Innovation in Stage Tossback Operation DOF Degree of Freedom ELV Expendable Launch Vehicle EoE End Of Experiment GNC Guidance, Navigation and Control L/D Lift-to-Drag Ratio FPA Flight Path Angle LFBB Liquid Fly-Back Booster MECO Main Engine Cut-Off RCS Reaction Control System RLV Reusable Launch Vehicle TOSCA Trajectory Optimization and Simulation of Conventional and Advanced Spacecraft VTHL Vertical Takeoff, Horizontal Landing VTVL Vertical Takeoff, Vertical Landing 1. Introduction The recent successes of the emerging private space companies SpaceX and Blue Origin in landing, recovering and relaunching reusable first stages have demonstrated the possibility of building reliable and competitive reusable first stages.
    [Show full text]