Comparison of Recent Scout Class Spacecraft Subsystem Weights for Future Weight Estimation Purposes

Comparison of Recent Scout Class Spacecraft Subsystem Weights for Future Weight Estimation Purposes

The purpose of this paper is to compare the subsystem weights of four recently built Scout class satellites to determine if there are any trends which can be used in future weight predictions. The four satellites whose weights are being compared are: MAGSAT, AMPTE, NOVA III, and Polar BEAR. These four spacecraft are different in many areas and were chosen as such, so as not to bias the data. In order to systematically compare the subsystem weights and extend the results to future spacecraft, a weight accounting system is developed. Thirteen subsystems are baselined. The specific pieces of hardware that are assigned to each subsystem category are defined. The components of each subsystem of each of the four spacecraft are defined and compared in terms of weight, capability, redundancy, etc. Weight trends are discussed where appropriate. Subsystem weights vary as one might expect with capability, redundancy, experiment and mission requirements, and launch vehicle imposed constraints. In spite of the major differences in the four spacecraft whose weights are compared, several trends and rules of thumb are developed which can be used in future weight predictions at the conceptual design level.