New Propulsive Module for Nanosatellites

Abstract

Microspace transportation suffers from an asymmetry: 90% of potential low cost secondary accommodations go to an orbit only 10% of microsatellites want — GTO. SPORT, the Small Payload Orbit Transfer module is a joint program of AeroAstro Inc. and Astronautics Technologies SB, Malaysia, to make low cost, frequent, plentiful secondary space on large launch vehicles useful to small satellite missions. SPORT uses a combination of aerobraking, via an inflatable ballute plus conventional propulsion to carry up to 70 kg satellites aboard Ariane 5 ASAP to equatorial LEO, or somewhat less mass other orbit inclinations and altitudes. As spacecraft become smaller, the practicality and cost effectiveness of dedicated inevitably declines, making utilization of secondary accommodations increasingly important to the small satellite developer and user communities. The evolution of the SPORT concept, its first application scheduled for launch in 2003, its performance and its potential to substantially increase the frequency and quality of microspace transportation are described.