AIRLAUNCH - AN ANTONOW 124-BASED LAUNCH VEHICLE CONCEPT FOR LEO AND GTO PAYLOADS

摘要

AirLaunch, based on Antonow 124 aircraft, targets a satellite launch capability of 4t (low inclination) to 3t (high inclination) in LEO and 1.5t in GTO. Also direct GEO insertion and transfer orbits will be offered. The system will start from a launching airport at the equator in Biak, Indonesia, where virtually no constraints on orbit inclinations exist. A rocket of about 100t mass will have to be ejected from the aircraft and then ignited in a safe distance from the aircraft. The rocket design is fully based on liquid fuel technology using an adapted Soyuz 2nd stage as the first AirLaunch stage and a new 2nd stage, but based on existing Russian components. A novel method for ejection derived from submarine technology will be used together with an Antonow 124 flight trajectory resulting in low gravity (about 0.3g) during the ejection. A Payload Pre Integration Centre (EPPIC) in Europe, Munich is under investigation, with the aim to maximize preparation activities before transfer to Biak and to minimize activities at the launching airport. A demonstrator program is established to prove this technology gradually increasing the mass towards the target mass of 100t. The demonstrator tests are now planned to start mid 2012. An overview of the system will be given and an outline of the next steps including the technology demonstrator, programme. The characteristics of the system and user interfaces will be described. AirLaunch plans to enter into service in 2015/2016.