Session
Technical Session I: Applications of Small Satellites
Abstract
The growing focus on orbital manufacture and associated experimentation highlights an increasing need for reliable, low cost recovery of orbital payloads. Simplistic recovery operations and vehicles designed for refurbishment and reuse can provide this desired economy. Based on prior operational experience and present conceptional thinking both are immediately feasible. With the accelerated commercial booster development now in progress, the operational facets of such programs remain the only significant cost elements still requiring definition and resolution. This paper will describe the range of vehicles anticipated for such operations, the economies effecting their operation and restrictions and limitations they impose on planned payloads. It will further discuss the operational issues which require resolution and recommend respective roles of government and the private sector relative to these functions.
Orbital Payload Recovery
The growing focus on orbital manufacture and associated experimentation highlights an increasing need for reliable, low cost recovery of orbital payloads. Simplistic recovery operations and vehicles designed for refurbishment and reuse can provide this desired economy. Based on prior operational experience and present conceptional thinking both are immediately feasible. With the accelerated commercial booster development now in progress, the operational facets of such programs remain the only significant cost elements still requiring definition and resolution. This paper will describe the range of vehicles anticipated for such operations, the economies effecting their operation and restrictions and limitations they impose on planned payloads. It will further discuss the operational issues which require resolution and recommend respective roles of government and the private sector relative to these functions.
