Session
Session IX: From Earth to Orbit
Abstract
On 28 September 2008, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) made history when its Falcon 1 became the first privately-developed, liquid-fueled rocket to achieve Earth orbit. This was the fourth flight of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle from the SpaceX launch site on Omelek Island at the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) in the central Pacific Ocean. It achieved an elliptical orbit of 621 x 643 km, 9 .34 degrees inclination, with full intended performance. With this flight, SpaceX has successfully flight proven 100% of its subsystems including 1st stage ascent, stage separation, 2nd stage ignition, fairing separation, guidance and control accuracies, stage 2 engine shutdown and orbital insertion, payload separation signaling, and stage 2 engine restart capability. A review of the successes and achievements is presented. The successful flight of SpaceX’s Falcon 1 is both historically noteworthy and represents a major opportunity for the satellite industry to finally have access to a low-cost demonstrated launch capability. Developed by SpaceX to provide reliable, low-cost access to space, the capabilities of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle provide unique opportunities for small satellite programs. Two Falcon 1 vehicles have included accommodations for the carriage of multiple secondary satellites in the mission design. A top-level overview of past multiple payload integration activities is discussed, along with the future plans for the Falcon 1 launch vehicle – which are focused on better servicing the needs of the small satellite community. An overview of these plans and how they will positively impact the small satellite community is discussed.
Presentation Slides
Falcon 1 Flight Results and Multiple Payload Integration
On 28 September 2008, Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) made history when its Falcon 1 became the first privately-developed, liquid-fueled rocket to achieve Earth orbit. This was the fourth flight of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle from the SpaceX launch site on Omelek Island at the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (USAKA) in the central Pacific Ocean. It achieved an elliptical orbit of 621 x 643 km, 9 .34 degrees inclination, with full intended performance. With this flight, SpaceX has successfully flight proven 100% of its subsystems including 1st stage ascent, stage separation, 2nd stage ignition, fairing separation, guidance and control accuracies, stage 2 engine shutdown and orbital insertion, payload separation signaling, and stage 2 engine restart capability. A review of the successes and achievements is presented. The successful flight of SpaceX’s Falcon 1 is both historically noteworthy and represents a major opportunity for the satellite industry to finally have access to a low-cost demonstrated launch capability. Developed by SpaceX to provide reliable, low-cost access to space, the capabilities of the Falcon 1 launch vehicle provide unique opportunities for small satellite programs. Two Falcon 1 vehicles have included accommodations for the carriage of multiple secondary satellites in the mission design. A top-level overview of past multiple payload integration activities is discussed, along with the future plans for the Falcon 1 launch vehicle – which are focused on better servicing the needs of the small satellite community. An overview of these plans and how they will positively impact the small satellite community is discussed.
