The design of an integrated launch facility for small polar orbiting satellites and sounding rockets is presented with focus on the development of a cost effective total service for launch, operation and Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TTC) for microsatellites. A general TTC station located in Longverbyen on the island of Svalbard (Arctic) is proposed as a supplement to the Tromso satellite station (Norway). Such a station will give 100 percent ground coverage when high inclination satellites are tracked. It will also explore areas in which microsatellites can give significant scientific contributions. The design of a universal launch facility for sounding rockets and microsatellites is also discussed. The new pad is capable of launching rocket configurations of up to 20 tons, using elevation from 65 to 90 degree and azimuth of 20 to 260 degree. The proposed launch facility is based on the existing infrastructure of Andoya rocket range, the launch facility of the Norwegian Space Center. Due to the general development of satellite technology and the increasing demand for smaller satellites in dedicated orbits, this launch facility was verified for use in placing microsoatellites, with payloads up to about 150 kg, in polar or high inclination orbits from 550 km.
Integrated Launch Facility for Sounding Rockets and Micro-Satellites
1991
6 pages
Report
No indication
English
Space Launch Vehicles & Support Equipment , Meteorological Instruments & Instrument Platforms , Launching bases , Rocket launching , Artificial satellites , Facilities , Launchers , Sounding rockets , Telemetry , Tracking (Position) , Arctic ocean , Data acquisition , Inclination , Norway , Payloads , Foreign technology , Spacecraft launching