Satellites and Launch Vehicles

“Gee Whiz” Facts Number of satellites currently in orbit is over 900 Satellites orbit at altitudes from 100 miles (Low Earth Orbit) up to 22,500 miles (Geosynchronous Orbit) Rockets accelerate to over 17,000 mph to reach orbit (a “high velocity” bullet from an M16 rifle only travels at 3,500 mph) To escape Earth’s gravity a spacecraft must travel at 25,039 mph or more Temperatures for a spacecraft on orbit can range from +450° F (on the side facing the sun) to -450° F (on the side facing deep space) The acoustic energy (sound) from a space shuttle launch is the equivalent of eight million stereos (enough to crush bones at close range) The space shuttle weighs 4,500,000 lbs at lift off (its engines generate 6,825,000 lbs of force at lift off) Number of satellites currently in orbit is over 900 Satellites orbit at altitudes from 100 miles (Low Earth Orbit) up to 22,500 miles (Geosynchronous Orbit) Rockets accelerate to over 17,000 mph to reach orbit (a “high velocity” bullet from an M16 rifle only travels at 3,500 mph) To escape Earth’s gravity a spacecraft must travel at 25,039 mph or more Temperatures for a spacecraft on orbit can range from +450° F (on the side facing the sun) to -450° F (on the side facing deep space) The acoustic energy (sound) from a space shuttle launch is the equivalent of eight million stereos (enough to crush bones at close range) The space shuttle weighs 4,500,000 lbs at lift off (its engines generate 6,825,000 lbs of force at lift off)

“Gee Whiz” Facts - $$$ A typical commercial communications satellite costs between $100,000,000 and $400,000,000 A typical commercial launch vehicle costs between $80,000,000 and $150,000,000 Government missions can cost well over $1,000,000,000 A typical commercial communications satellite costs between $100,000,000 and $400,000,000 A typical commercial launch vehicle costs between $80,000,000 and $150,000,000 Government missions can cost well over $1,000,000,000

How big are satellites and launch vehicles?

What is a satellite? sat·el·lite Pronunciation: sa-tə-līt Function: noun Etymology: Middle French, from Latin satellit-, satelles attendant Date: circa a : a celestial body orbiting another of larger size b : a manufactured object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another celestial body sat·el·lite Pronunciation: sa-tə-līt Function: noun Etymology: Middle French, from Latin satellit-, satelles attendant Date: circa a : a celestial body orbiting another of larger size b : a manufactured object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another celestial body

What is an orbit?

What is it like in space? Extreme Temperatures Total Vacuum Zero Gravity Intense Radiation

What do satellites do?

Globe Demonstration DVD

What are the parts of a satellite?

What are the Parts of a Satellite? Bus Module –Structures & Mechanisms (mechanical systems) –Power Subsystem (solar panels, batteries) –Propulsion Subsystem (propellant tanks, Helium tanks, thrusters) –Attitude Determination, Control, & Navigation Subsystem (Earth sensors, star sensors, reaction wheels, gyros, etc) –Telemetry & Command Subsystem (remote control of the satellite) –Thermal Subsystem (maintaining the correct temperature for the satellite) Payload Module –Payload Electronics –Data handling & communications –Other elements depend on the type of payload (e.g. optical sensors, antennas, reflectors, etc.)

How Do You Test a Satellite? Structural Testing Bus Module Electrical Testing Payload Module Electrical Testing Environmental Testing Vibration Testing (launch environment) Acoustic Testing (launch environment) Thermal Vacuum Testing (hot & cold temperatures and vacuum environment) Anechoic Chamber Testing (RF environment) Deployments (solar panels, reflectors, etc.) Structural Testing Bus Module Electrical Testing Payload Module Electrical Testing Environmental Testing Vibration Testing (launch environment) Acoustic Testing (launch environment) Thermal Vacuum Testing (hot & cold temperatures and vacuum environment) Anechoic Chamber Testing (RF environment) Deployments (solar panels, reflectors, etc.)

Case Study: GOES O Satellite Weather satellite built by Boeing for NASA and NOAA Launched June 27, 2009 Launched on the Delta IV launch vehicle built by United Launch Alliance Launch site was Cape Canaveral AFS Launch Pad was Complex 37B Weather satellite built by Boeing for NASA and NOAA Launched June 27, 2009 Launched on the Delta IV launch vehicle built by United Launch Alliance Launch site was Cape Canaveral AFS Launch Pad was Complex 37B

GOES O Integration & Test

Questions?

What is a Launch Vehicle?

What are the parts of a launch vehicle? Atlas V Proton Delta IV Heavy

How do rocket engines work? Solid Propellant Engine Pre- Burner Turbine Oxidizer Pump Fuel Pump Injector Combustion Chamber Nozzle Fuel Oxidizer Control Valves Fuel Control Valve Liquid Propellant Engine

Where are satellites launched? Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral AFS Florida Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral AFS Florida Vandenberg AFB California Vandenberg AFB California Equator Mid-Pacific Equator Mid-Pacific Baikonur Cosmodrome Kazakhstan Baikonur Cosmodrome Kazakhstan Guiana Space Centre French Guiana Guiana Space Centre French Guiana Xichang Space Launch Center China Xichang Space Launch Center China Sea LaunchShuttleProtonLong MarchArianeAtlas VDelta IIDelta IV

How does a launch vehicle put a satellite into orbit? Booster Ascent & Upper Stage Burn #1 Upper Stage Burn #2 Spacecraft Separation First Apogee Passage

GOES O Launch on Delta IV

Questions?

Next Boeing Launch: Wideband Global Satcom F3 Satellite built by Boeing for the U.S. Air Force Provides communications for military forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, and worldwide Launch on the Delta IV launch vehicle built by United Launch Alliance Launch site is Cape Canaveral AFS Launch Pad is Complex 37B Launch date is late November 2009 Launch can be viewed on line at ulalaunch.com Launch status updates can be found on line at spaceflightnow.com