Session
Session IX: Launch Systems
Abstract
With the advent of the Falcon, the capability of launch on demand will be an important asset of a Western commercial launcher for small satellites for the first time. While this capability is possessed by all military missiles, only those from the former Soviet Union were developed into small launchers which retained their responsive access characteristics unimpaired. Furthermore, quite large launchers, the Cyclone and Zenit 2 were produced with this ability. In this paper the responsive access concept, its advantages and its implications for the launcher market are examined and assessed. Russian and Ukrainian launchers are examined and their suitability for meeting present day requirements for responsive access and their capabilities are compared with that of the Falcon. Possible developments in small satellite technology that may be stimulated by the general availability of a responsive access to space are described.
Presentation Slides
The ‘Responsive Access’ Concept (RAC) and its Realisation in Russia
With the advent of the Falcon, the capability of launch on demand will be an important asset of a Western commercial launcher for small satellites for the first time. While this capability is possessed by all military missiles, only those from the former Soviet Union were developed into small launchers which retained their responsive access characteristics unimpaired. Furthermore, quite large launchers, the Cyclone and Zenit 2 were produced with this ability. In this paper the responsive access concept, its advantages and its implications for the launcher market are examined and assessed. Russian and Ukrainian launchers are examined and their suitability for meeting present day requirements for responsive access and their capabilities are compared with that of the Falcon. Possible developments in small satellite technology that may be stimulated by the general availability of a responsive access to space are described.
