Technology for Small Spacecraft (1994) / Chapter Skim
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10 Launch Vehicle Technology for Small Spacecraft
10 Launch Vehicle Technology for Small Spacecraft
Pages 75-82
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From page 75... ...
With the exception of a few of the small payload launch vehicle concepts, most of the existing fleet of vehicles are either variants of military ballistic missiles upgraded into versions capable of space launch or use technologies that date back to the 1970s. All current launch vehicle systems are expensive to build and operate.
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From page 76... ...
Launch Vehicles COMPANY LAUNCH VEHICLE Orbital Sciences Corporation EER Systems E-Prime Aerospace Lockheed Missiles & Space Company CTA Launch Vehicle Services (formerly International Micro space Inc.) PacAstro American Rocket Company Pegasus, Taurus Conestoga Eagle LLV1, LLV2, LLV3 Orbex PA Aquilla Many of the vehicles have several variants.
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From page 77... ...
and Russian excess missile assets will have an impact on the nace of advanced - 1 ~ - r - technology development to reduce launch costs for small spacecraft. Some contractors contend that the goal of a total cost per launch of $5 million to $7 million could be achieved using excess missiles.
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From page 78... ...
The NASA Solid Propellant ~ This was also the finding in the 1987 Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board report Space Technology to Meet Future Needs and in its 1992 report From Earth to Orbit (NRC, 1987, 1992)
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From page 79... ...
However, work is needed of sufficient scale to demonstrate the potential cost savings associated with advanced manufacturing techniques for a low-cost and highly reliable design. Except for solid rocket motors, launch vehicle structures have been fabricated, for the most part, from conventional aluminum materials.
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From page 80... ...
Some enabling technologies are . lightweight, high-temperature composite structures; aluminum-lithium alloy or composite cryogenic tankage; and thermal protection system materials with good moisture resistance; high specific impulse, low-weight, high thrust-to-weight tripropellant propulsion systems; flexible, lightweight guidance and control systems for launch and landing; on-board health-monitoring systems; ant} automated mission planning systems.
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From page 81... ...
The hybrid-rocket system described earlier has the added advantage of producing environmentally acceptable propellant exhaust inherently. Unlike a conventional solid propellant, the hybrid fuel does not contain any ingredients that will form environmentally harmful exhaust products.
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From page 82... ...
3. The ongoing Solid Propellant Integrity Program should be supported with increased consideration toward those solid propulsion units used in commercial small launch vehicles.
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