Session
Swifty Session I
Abstract
The growing number of dedicated small launch vehicles will lower the cost of space access in the coming years but many challenges remain in utilizing these for small payloads particularly CubeSat missions. Cubesats still have a similar number of concerns and obstacles as a secondary payload on a larger rocket as they do on a small rocket such as desired orbital location. Constellation phasing creates another challenge without using on-board propulsion or time consuming differential drag strategies. All of these create additional challenges for the mass/cost constrained CubeSat developer.
Many of these challenges can be met through the use of a propulsive rideshare adapter or Small Launch Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (SL-OMV). The SL-OMV is a low mass and low cost propulsive adapter that can be used to distribute CubeSat payloads (1U, 3U, 6U, 12U, and non-standard sizes) with different orbital parameters than the primary payload or each CubeSat with a different orbital destination. This is important for both Rideshare launches but single mission dedicated cluster launches. The SL-OMV can remain on orbit for a longer duration allowing for constellation phasing for payloads without propulsion. This can be used for “on demand” deployments that are useful across commercial, civil, and military space applications.
The SL-OMV is designed with the future small launch vehicle systems in mind including using low cost platform avionics and composites, composites for low mass structures, modular payload accommodations, and green propellant for spaceport operations and especially for European launches where REACH legislation may limit traditional propellants like Hydrazine. The SL-OMV can reduce costs for space access using rideshare and enable low cost missions that previously could only be achieved through the expense of a dedicated launch vehicle and propulsive spacecraft.
The development and first flight unit of the SL-OMV is being funded jointly by Moog and the United Kingdom Satellite & Launch Program (UKSLP) and is scheduled for launch in the early 2020’s from a new launch site on the north coast of Scotland. This will be the first UK vertical launch site and be used by multiple launch vehicle providers. In addition to the SL-OMV, this launch will carry multiple CubeSats for a variety of missions including an advanced low-latency weather data satellite. The SL-OMV will deploy CubeSats from multiple missions at different altitudes and be used to place spacecraft in a precise formation orbit.
Path to the First Flight of the SL-OMV
The growing number of dedicated small launch vehicles will lower the cost of space access in the coming years but many challenges remain in utilizing these for small payloads particularly CubeSat missions. Cubesats still have a similar number of concerns and obstacles as a secondary payload on a larger rocket as they do on a small rocket such as desired orbital location. Constellation phasing creates another challenge without using on-board propulsion or time consuming differential drag strategies. All of these create additional challenges for the mass/cost constrained CubeSat developer.
Many of these challenges can be met through the use of a propulsive rideshare adapter or Small Launch Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (SL-OMV). The SL-OMV is a low mass and low cost propulsive adapter that can be used to distribute CubeSat payloads (1U, 3U, 6U, 12U, and non-standard sizes) with different orbital parameters than the primary payload or each CubeSat with a different orbital destination. This is important for both Rideshare launches but single mission dedicated cluster launches. The SL-OMV can remain on orbit for a longer duration allowing for constellation phasing for payloads without propulsion. This can be used for “on demand” deployments that are useful across commercial, civil, and military space applications.
The SL-OMV is designed with the future small launch vehicle systems in mind including using low cost platform avionics and composites, composites for low mass structures, modular payload accommodations, and green propellant for spaceport operations and especially for European launches where REACH legislation may limit traditional propellants like Hydrazine. The SL-OMV can reduce costs for space access using rideshare and enable low cost missions that previously could only be achieved through the expense of a dedicated launch vehicle and propulsive spacecraft.
The development and first flight unit of the SL-OMV is being funded jointly by Moog and the United Kingdom Satellite & Launch Program (UKSLP) and is scheduled for launch in the early 2020’s from a new launch site on the north coast of Scotland. This will be the first UK vertical launch site and be used by multiple launch vehicle providers. In addition to the SL-OMV, this launch will carry multiple CubeSats for a variety of missions including an advanced low-latency weather data satellite. The SL-OMV will deploy CubeSats from multiple missions at different altitudes and be used to place spacecraft in a precise formation orbit.
