Share:


LatLaunch air-launch system for low-cost launching of small satellites into low Earth orbit

    Aleksandrs Urbahs Affiliation
    ; Sergey Kravchenko   Affiliation
    ; Margarita Urbaha   Affiliation
    ; Kristine Carjova Affiliation
    ; Natalja Panova   Affiliation
    ; Rafal Chatys Affiliation

Abstract

The paper presents the air-launch system enabling the delivery of small satellites into low Earth orbit. One of the most important advantages of the concept is its cost. Generally, the paper proves that launching a carrier from an aerial platform (a movable launch pad) provides the whole range of competitive advantages. In particular, the total losses during the launch from an aerial platform will reduce by 20–35%, and the characteristic velocity of the maneuver will reduce by 4–7%.

Keyword : flight safety, LEO satellites, risk, algorithm, air-launch system

How to Cite
Urbahs, A., Kravchenko, S., Urbaha, M., Carjova, K., Panova, N., & Chatys, R. (2021). LatLaunch air-launch system for low-cost launching of small satellites into low Earth orbit. Aviation, 25(2), 73-78. https://doi.org/10.3846/aviation.2021.12382
Published in Issue
Jun 23, 2021
Abstract Views
809
PDF Downloads
742
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Gapiński, D. & Stefański, K. (2014). Control of designed target seeker, used in self-guided anti-aircraft missiles, by employing motors with a constant torque. Aviation, 18(1), 20–27. https://doi.org/10.3846/16487788.2014.865943

Geodetic Reference System. (1980). Adopted by XVII General Assembly of the IUGG, Canberra, 1979.

Grego, L. (2019). Record number of satellites in orbit. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://allthingsnuclear.org/lgrego/2018satellitedata

Humble, R. W., Henry, G. N., & Larson, W. J. (1995). Space propulsion analysis and design. McGraw Hill.

Jones, H. W. (2018, 8–12 July). The recent large reduction in space launch cost [Conference presentation]. 48th International Conference on Environmental Systems ICES-2018-81. Albuquerque, New Mexico. https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/bitstream/handle/2346/74082/ICES_2018_81.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

NASA. (1995). Saturn 5 launch vehicle flight evaluation report, AS-510, Apollo 15 Mission. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19730025086

NASA. (2014). Waking a giant: bringing the Saturn F-1 engine back to life. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20140011656.pdf

Pixalitics Ltd. (2018). How many satellites are orbiting the Earth in 2018? https://www.pixalytics.com/sats-orbiting-theearth-2018/

Satellite Industry Association. (2017). State of the Satellite Industry Report. https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/sia_ssir_2017.pdf

Stefański, K., Grzyb, M., & Nocoń, Ł. (2014). The analysis of homing of aerial guided bomb on the ground target by means of special method of control. In Petras et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of 15th International Carpathian Control Conference (pp. 551–556), IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/CarpathianCC.2014.6843665

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). (1985). Online index of objects launched into outer space. UNOOSA. https://www.unoosa.org/oosa/osoindex/search-ng.jspx?lf_id=

U.S. Standard Atmosphere. (1976). U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19770009539.pdf

Union of Concerned Scientists. (2005). UCS Satellite database. https://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear-weapons/space-weapons/satellite-database