New Ventures for Small Payloads Access To Space 'We Have Farther To Go Then We've Come'

摘要

Small satellite programs offer opportunities for conducting technical demonstrations, engineering development and scientific missions. To accomplish these missions, launch systems are needed whose costs and capacity are commensurate with the use of small, low-cost satellites. Lower launch costs would open the door to more technology demonstrations and scientific missions that will drive the need for more launch vehicle. There are several new ventures that could increase the opportunity for small payloads to achieve economical access to space. Thesenew ventures include low cost launch vehicles, standard adapters, orbit transfer vehicles, and space maneuver vehicles.