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The Role of Small Satellites in NASA and NOAA Earth Observation Programs (2000) / Chapter Skim
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Appendix C: U.S. Launch Vehicles for Small Satellites
Pages 77-81

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From page 77...
... The Delta II launch vehicle consists of two primary stages with an option for a third. The last digit in the vehicle designation indicates which, if any, third stage is used; a version 7920, for instance, would indicate no third stage (Isakowitz, 1995, p.
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From page 78...
... It has the longest launch record of any family of vehicles in the American space program and has proven itself highly reliable. From 1989 through October 1998, the Delta II family had flown 67 times with 65 successes a 97 percent success rate.
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From page 79...
... Farther in the future is the Athena 3, for which Lockheed Martin intends to add solid rocket Castor IVA-XL strap-one to the Athena 2 design. The booster will launch from Vandenburg Air Force Base for polar orbits and from Cape Canaveral for lower inclination destinations.
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From page 80...
... Many of these proposals, especially those that utilize reusable or partially reusable designs would, in principle, have significant cost advantages over their more traditional competitors if they even come close to their stated objectives. Although data are more scarce on these proposed vehicles than on launchers currently in operation, a brief discussion of the stated objectives of each launcher or family of vehicles, in conjunction with their performance goals, will be a useful addition to the dialogue concerning the availability and cost of launchers for small satellites fulfilling Earth observation needs.
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From page 81...
... Available online at . National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
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Key Terms

  • launch vehicle
  • kelly space
  • third stage
  • launch vehicles
  • expendable launch

  • force base
  • circular orbit
  • cape canaveral
  • lockheed martin
  • lower inclination

  • vandenburg air
  • vehicle designation
  • mcdonnell douglas
  • reduces mass
  • incrementally increasing

  • designation indicates
  • rocket vehicle
  • various versions
  • upper stage
  • increasing payload

  • inclination orbits
  • stated objectives
  • core motor
  • eclipse express
  • larger versions

  • fairing reduces
  • solid rocket
  • vehicle program
  • mass performance
  • earth observation


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