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http://dx.doi.org/10.5139/JKSAS.2022.50.3.203

A Study on the Applicability of Air Launch Vehicle  

Kwon, Kybeom (Seoul National University)
Lee, Kanghyun (Seoul National University)
Cho, Ye Rang (Seoul National University)
Ji, Wan Gu (Seoul National University)
Kim, Kyu Hong (Seoul National University)
Publication Information
Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences / v.50, no.3, 2022 , pp. 203-214 More about this Journal
Abstract
As the global demand for small satellites weighing less than 500 kg increases, the development and operation of dedicated small launch vehicles increase significantly. The responsiveness of a launch vehicle that puts a small satellite into a target orbit at the desired time is attracting attention. As a result, interest in the air launch is increasing in the rapid establishment of a constellation. As the demand for small satellites in south Korea increases, this study performed analyses on the applicability of an air launch vehicle using a large civil aircraft considering the geographical environment. In terms of responsiveness, mission response times were compared and analyzed for air launch vehicles and ground small and large vehicles. In addition, an air vehicle and a small ground vehicle were quantitatively compared and analyzed for the orbital insertion performance. As a result of the analysis, the air launch vehicle has limited responsiveness in Korea regarding rapid satellite constellation establishment. However, it can be an effective alternative for low inclination angle orbit insertion with the benefit of a fast turnaround time. Furthermore, the performance of the orbital injection is close to that of the ground small launch vehicle, and the high efficiency in terms of the required propellant mass is possible, so air launch can be an effective launch means for putting small satellites into orbit in Korea.
Keywords
Small Satellite; Responsiveness; Air Launch Vehicle; Mission Response Time; Orbit Insertion Performance;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 5  (Citation Analysis)
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