Estimating the possibility of designing a small-lift launch vehicle to form satellite constellations

The paper estimates the possibility of using the MN-300 meteorological research rocket as the basis for designing a small-lift launch vehicle to form satellite constellations. The paper shows that at present there exist no standard systems of evaluating a project of this type. In order to account for all the meaningful properties of a small-lift launch vehicle to form satellite constellations, we analyse criteria using the initial data available on all the specimens under comparison. We introduced a range of constraints while selecting the criteria, substantiated by upgrading the base option, the logistics of its application and the ultimate goals of the system. While developing the launch system, we also address the problems of possible upgrade in the structural subsystems of the new design by means of circuit design solutions validated during research instrumentation unit development for meteorological research rockets; letting these problems remain unsolved incurs substantial risks to project implementation. We present a non-trivial solution to the problem of increasing the efficiency of existing achievements in research and technology, related to an integrated approach to evaluating the launch vehicle design via operational efficiency of the space constellation by means of minimising the cost of an information unit, decreasing development risks and employing the space system as a whole.

The Wind Environment Interactions Relative to Launch Vehicle Design

Since atmospheric winds play the most critical natural enviroment (NE) role as input into the design and development of an aerospace launch vehicle, this paper provides a more detailed description of the wind environment and its interaction with engineering design in launch and space vehicle development applications at Kennedy Space Center (KSC).