Launching small spacecraft onto an Earth departure trajectory as part of a rideshare mission to Earth orbit

M. G. Shirobokov


Abstract: The work focuses on assessing the capabilities of an upper stage for launching a small spacecraft onto an Earth-departure trajectory as part of a rideshare launch to Earth orbit. For various total masses delivered by the launch vehicle to Earth orbit, primary payload masses, primary payload orbit altitudes, and departure impulse values, the mass of the small spacecraft and the upper stage fuel consumption are evaluated.

Keywords: small spacecraft, rideshare launch, upper stage.