Aviation (Jun 2021)

LatLaunch air-launch system for low-cost launching of small satellites into low Earth orbit

  • Aleksandrs Urbahs,
  • Sergey Kravchenko,
  • Margarita Urbaha,
  • Kristine Carjova,
  • Natalja Panova,
  • Rafal Chatys

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3846/aviation.2021.12382
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 2
pp. 73 – 78

Abstract

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The paper presents the air-launch system enabling the delivery of small satellites into low Earth orbit. One of the most important advantages of the concept is its cost. Generally, the paper proves that launching a carrier from an aerial platform (a movable launch pad) provides the whole range of competitive advantages. In particular, the total losses during the launch from an aerial platform will reduce by 20–35%, and the characteristic velocity of the maneuver will reduce by 4–7%.

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