THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF AN AFFORDABLE NANOSATELLITE LAUNCH SYSTEM FOR THE US AND EUROPEAN MARKETS

摘要

In recent years the capabilities and applications for satellites of less than 10 kg launch mass (called nanosatellites) have grown considerably, evolving from simple student "CubeSat" class projects. The CubeSat - a 1 kg payload with dimensions of 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm - has now become the basis for a modular architecture ranging from a single unit to a 12 unit (12 kg) satellite with on-board propulsion and three axis stabilization and pointing capability. Many applications of 3U CubeSats are now in development, including constellations of 16 or more spacecraft providing continuous global coverage. Rocketplane Global is developing a new category of hybrid launch system specifically to service the small satellite developer community as the primary payloads. This launch system uses the reusable XP suborbital spaceplane as the first stage carrier aircraft and a two stage low-cost expendable upper stage and payload fairing stack to reach orbit. The system is designed to launch up to 25 kg to 500 km polar orbit. Multiple 1U to 3U CubeSats can be deployed via a dispenser system, or a single small satellite can be launched. For launch operations that will service the EU market (which is one of the global Centers of Excellence for nanosatellite development) a polar azimuth launch corridor over the North Sea from The Netherlands territorial waters has been identified. This launch flight plan takes advantage of dual-use opportunities for Military Restricted Airspace that is a common feature in US commercial spaceflight licensed launch activity. This paper will describe the technical and performance aspects of the Rocketplane XP nanosatellite launch system along with launch cost projections and regulatory aspects of such launch operations in the US and Europe.