Designed to provide the significant capability required for human deep-space exploration, NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) also provides a unique opportunity for lower-cost deep-space science in the form of small-satellite secondary payloads. This opportunity will be leveraged beginning with the rocket's first flight; a launch of the vehicle's Block 1 configuration, capable of delivering at least 26 metric tons (t) to trans-lunar injection (TLI), which will see the Orion crew vehicle travel around the moon and return to Earth. On that flight, SLS will also deploy 13 6U CubeSat-class payloads to multiple destinations in deep space. These secondary payloads will include not only NASA research but also spacecraft from international partners, industry and academia. The payloads represent a variety of disciplines including, but not limited to, studies of the moon, Earth, sun and asteroids, along with technology demonstrations that could pave the way for even more ambitious smallsat missions in the future.


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    Title :

    NASA's Space Launch System: Deep-Space Opportunities for Smallsats


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    4S Symposium ; 2018 ; Sorrento, Italy


    Publication date :

    2018-05-28


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





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