Session
Technical Session V: Operations and Mission Planning
Abstract
Although the Molniya orbit has been widely used by the Soviet Union for many years in support of a variety of communications, science and navigation missions, its advantages have never really been exploited in the west. The Molniya orbit offers improved communications at high latitudes particularly for mobile communications plays an important part in the NAVSAT navigation system constellation and offers scientists an opportunity to undertake scientific measurement over a variety of altitudes and hence environmental conditions with a single spacecraft. Surrey Satellite Technology have recently completed a study to assess the feasibility, and then to propose a preliminary design for a low cost Molniya spacecraft which supports a navigations payload using a C/L band transponder of 60kg and 150w with growth potential for future missions. This paper presents the conclusions of that study and includes brief discussions on the launch and spacecraft options and the proposed solutions for a cost effective system.
Low Cost Molnyia Spacecraft for Navigation/Communications Missions
Although the Molniya orbit has been widely used by the Soviet Union for many years in support of a variety of communications, science and navigation missions, its advantages have never really been exploited in the west. The Molniya orbit offers improved communications at high latitudes particularly for mobile communications plays an important part in the NAVSAT navigation system constellation and offers scientists an opportunity to undertake scientific measurement over a variety of altitudes and hence environmental conditions with a single spacecraft. Surrey Satellite Technology have recently completed a study to assess the feasibility, and then to propose a preliminary design for a low cost Molniya spacecraft which supports a navigations payload using a C/L band transponder of 60kg and 150w with growth potential for future missions. This paper presents the conclusions of that study and includes brief discussions on the launch and spacecraft options and the proposed solutions for a cost effective system.
