Results of the ISUS system definition study
- Phillips Lab., Kirtland AFB, NM (United States)
The Integrated Solar Upper Stage (ISUS) Program at the USAF Phillips will demonstrate a solar bimodal power and propulsion system for military applications. The proposed ISUS space demonstration system provides orbit transfer capability combined with on-orbit electrical power production; in this way, ISUS functions first as a launch vehicle`s upper stage, and then remains with the proposed satellite, providing electrical power throughout the life of the spacecraft. The proposed satellite, a military communications platform, is launched with ISUS aboard a Titan IIG booster from the Western Test Range. ISUS moves the satellite from a circular low earth orbit (i = 63.4{degree}) to a highly-elliptical Molniya orbit in thirty days. A series of 200 or more perigee and apogee kicks are required to minimize transfer delta-V and thus propellant consumption; this is achievable in part due to ISUS` relatively high thrust (up to 100 N) and peak specific impulse (800 s). Keeping the stage with the spacecraft to provide electrical power further increases the amount of mass available to the payload. The development and test of critical components are the current focus of the ISUS Program; component validation and subsystem tests will culminate in an Engine Ground Demonstration (EGD) at NASA Lewis Research Center in 1997. This flight demonstration of ISUS could be performed as early as 1999 for an estimated $85M.
- OSTI ID:
- 438676
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9603117-; ISBN 0-7918-1765-2; TRN: IM9711%%137
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1996 American Society of Mechanical Engineers international solar energy conference, San Antonio, TX (United States), 31 Mar - 3 Apr 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Solar engineering 1996; Davidson, J.H. [ed.] [Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (United States)]; Chavez, J. [ed.] [Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)]; PB: 544 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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