The competitive effects of launch vehicle technology

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1996 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.49926· OSTI ID:385407

Dupnick, E ^[1]; Hopkins, C ^[2]

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1. ECON, Inc., 711 W. Bay Area Blvd., Suite 615, Webster, Texas 77598 (United States)
2. ECON, Inc., 14437 Fallscliff Lane, Centerville, Virginia 22020 (United States)

We performed a study to evaluate the economics of advanced technology incorporation in selected expendable launch vehicles, the Ariane, the Atlas, and the Delta. The competitive merits of these launch vehicles were assessed against a reference mission{emdash}the delivery of a telecommunications satellite to geostationary orbit. We provide estimates of the cost of the launch services for the competing missions; the GE PRICE models were used to provide cost estimates for the three launch vehicles. Using publicly available data, a comparison of cost with price for the launch was utilized to examine the issue of potential profit earned and/or subsidization of the cost. Other factors such as the location of the launch site, transportation costs, exchange rates, the availability of financing at competitive rates and communication problems was also considered in evaluating the competitive launch vehicle systems. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 385407
• Report Number(s): CONF-960109-; ISSN 0094-243X; TRN: 9618M0009
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 361, 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

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING NOT INCLUDED IN OTHER CATEGORIES
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
SPACE VEHICLES
COST ESTIMATION
LAUNCHING
SATELLITES
MISSILE LAUNCHING SITES
SPACE VEHICLE COMPONENTS
PROPULSION SYSTEMS
NAVIGATIONAL INSTRUMENTS