Ballistic aspects of launching a small spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit to explore the Earth magnetosphere

K. S. Suslov


Abstract: In this paper, the ballistic aspects of the mission to explore the Earth magnetotail using a group of microsatellites are studied. The possibility of launching the formation into a target highly elliptical orbit by ridesharing launch of the spacecraft to an intermediate orbit and then transferring them using their own propulsion system is analyzed. Estimations of fuel costs and transfer times are made to conclude the feasibility of the mission in the ballistic means.

Keywords: microsatellite, ballistic analysis, ridesharing launch, low-thrust engine.