Abstract In preparing for the future, the European Space Agency (ESA) and Arianespace have identified a growing shortage of flight opportunities for secondary payloads. This was most directly felt in the execution of the In-Orbit Technology Demonstration Programme (TDP), which is aimed at the demonstration of new technologies in orbit, before their application in projects, thereby reducing the overall risk. The TDP took a lead in investigating the possibility of using the European heavy lift launcher Ariane IV as a low-cost secondary payload carrier, not only for technological, but also for scientific and educational experiments. The secondary payloads were in the form of an attached platform and small satellites. For the attached platform ESA is developing ARTEP (Ariane Technology Experiment Platform); for the small satellite, Arianespace has developed a carrying structure ASAP (Ariane Structure for Auxiliary Payloads). This paper gives a detailed account of the efforts, which resulted in firm plans to establish a secondary payload capability on the Ariane IV. Also, an overview of the technical implementation is given.
Ariane utilization for secondary payloads
Acta Astronautica ; 19 , 6-7 ; 483-489
1989-01-24
7 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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