Session
Technical Session IV: From Earth to Orbit
Abstract
In recent years the demand for multi-spacecraft launches has increased. Eurockot faces this development with its multiple launch capability. Mission specific, intelligent, multiple launch dispensers as well as mission profiles with several re-ignitions of the upper stage for orbit changes or phasing maneuvers enable precise ejection of multiple spacecraft into pre-determined directions with delta v added for phasing, hence simplifying mission design for the satellite. Eurockot offers launches of complete orbital planes to constellation operators or combinations of multiple spacecraft. This paper presents deferent solutions for multiple spacecraft launch dispensers now available for stacked or adjacent configurations. First, an analysis is provided summarizing past multiple spacecraft missions using the Rockot launch vehicle. Different multiple spacecraft dispensers were developed and demonstrated during Eurockot's past cluster missions such as GRACE, Iridium, SMOS/Proba-2 and Swarm. In particular, the paper describes the last multiple mission in 2013 performed by Eurockot- the three spacecraft Swarm mission of ESA, which is one of the most complex missions in respect of accommodation and simultaneous separation of the three satellites.
Presentation
Individual Adapter Solutions for Multi-Spacecraft Launches on Rockot
In recent years the demand for multi-spacecraft launches has increased. Eurockot faces this development with its multiple launch capability. Mission specific, intelligent, multiple launch dispensers as well as mission profiles with several re-ignitions of the upper stage for orbit changes or phasing maneuvers enable precise ejection of multiple spacecraft into pre-determined directions with delta v added for phasing, hence simplifying mission design for the satellite. Eurockot offers launches of complete orbital planes to constellation operators or combinations of multiple spacecraft. This paper presents deferent solutions for multiple spacecraft launch dispensers now available for stacked or adjacent configurations. First, an analysis is provided summarizing past multiple spacecraft missions using the Rockot launch vehicle. Different multiple spacecraft dispensers were developed and demonstrated during Eurockot's past cluster missions such as GRACE, Iridium, SMOS/Proba-2 and Swarm. In particular, the paper describes the last multiple mission in 2013 performed by Eurockot- the three spacecraft Swarm mission of ESA, which is one of the most complex missions in respect of accommodation and simultaneous separation of the three satellites.
