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Title: Solar bimodal mission and operational analysis

Abstract

Recent interest by both government and industry has prompted evaluation of a solar bimodal upper stage for propulsion/power applications in Earth orbit. The solar bimodal system provides an integral propulsion and power system for the orbit transfer and on-orbit phases of a satellite mission. This paper presents an initial systems evaluation of a solar bimodal system used to place satellite payloads for Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), High Earth Orbit (HEO-Molniya class), and Mid Earth Orbit (GPS class) missions with emphasis on the GEO mission. The analysis was performed as part of the Operational Effectiveness and Cost Comparison Study (OECS) sponsored by Phillips Laboratory (PL). The solar bimodal concept was investigated on a mission operational and performance basis for on-orbit power levels ranging from less than 1 kWe to 20 kWe. Atlas IIAS, Delta 7920, and Titan IV launch vehicles were considered for injecting the solar bimodal upper stage and payload into initial orbits ranging from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (185{times}185 km circular) to higher apogee altitudes (185{times}18,500 km elliptical). The influences of engine thrust, power level, trip time, staging altitude, and thermal storage charge-discharge characteristics on the mission payload capability were developed. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

Authors:
 [1];  [2]
  1. Rockwell Aerospace, Rocketdyne Division, Canoga Park, California (United States)
  2. The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, California (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
385523
Report Number(s):
CONF-960109-
Journal ID: APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X; TRN: 9618M0124
DOE Contract Number:  
AC03-92SF19138
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
AIP Conference Proceedings
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 361; Journal Issue: 1; Conference: STAIF 96: space technology and applications international forum, Albuquerque, NM (United States), 7-11 Jan 1996; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
14 SOLAR ENERGY; PROPULSION SYSTEMS; SOLAR ENERGY; SPACE FLIGHT; MISSION ANALYSIS; SATELLITES; POWER SYSTEMS; SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION; ORBITAL SOLAR REFLECTORS; COST ESTIMATION; ROCKETS

Citation Formats

Frye, P, and Law, G. Solar bimodal mission and operational analysis. United States: N. p., 1996. Web. doi:10.1063/1.49861.
Frye, P, & Law, G. Solar bimodal mission and operational analysis. United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.49861
Frye, P, and Law, G. 1996. "Solar bimodal mission and operational analysis". United States. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.49861.
@article{osti_385523,
title = {Solar bimodal mission and operational analysis},
author = {Frye, P and Law, G},
abstractNote = {Recent interest by both government and industry has prompted evaluation of a solar bimodal upper stage for propulsion/power applications in Earth orbit. The solar bimodal system provides an integral propulsion and power system for the orbit transfer and on-orbit phases of a satellite mission. This paper presents an initial systems evaluation of a solar bimodal system used to place satellite payloads for Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO), High Earth Orbit (HEO-Molniya class), and Mid Earth Orbit (GPS class) missions with emphasis on the GEO mission. The analysis was performed as part of the Operational Effectiveness and Cost Comparison Study (OECS) sponsored by Phillips Laboratory (PL). The solar bimodal concept was investigated on a mission operational and performance basis for on-orbit power levels ranging from less than 1 kWe to 20 kWe. Atlas IIAS, Delta 7920, and Titan IV launch vehicles were considered for injecting the solar bimodal upper stage and payload into initial orbits ranging from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (185{times}185 km circular) to higher apogee altitudes (185{times}18,500 km elliptical). The influences of engine thrust, power level, trip time, staging altitude, and thermal storage charge-discharge characteristics on the mission payload capability were developed. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}},
doi = {10.1063/1.49861},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/385523}, journal = {AIP Conference Proceedings},
number = 1,
volume = 361,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1996},
month = {Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1996}
}