Satellites and Launch Vehicles

“Gee Whiz” Facts“Gee Whiz” Facts• Number of satellites currently in orbit is over 900• Satellites orbit at altitudes from 100 miles (Low Earth Orbit)

up to 22,500 miles (Geosynchronous Orbit)

• Rockets accelerate to over 17,000 mph to reach orbit (a “high velocity” bullet from an M16 rifle only travels at 3,500 mph)

• To escape Earth’s gravity a spacecraft must travel at 25,039 mph or more

• Temperatures for a spacecraft on orbit can range from +450° F (on the side facing the sun) to -450° F (on the side facing deep space)

• The acoustic energy (sound) from a space shuttle launch is the equivalent of eight million stereos (enough to crush bones at close range)

• The space shuttle weighs 4,500,000 lbs at lift off (its engines generate 6,825,000 lbs of force at lift off)

• Number of satellites currently in orbit is over 900• Satellites orbit at altitudes from 100 miles (Low Earth Orbit)

up to 22,500 miles (Geosynchronous Orbit)

• Rockets accelerate to over 17,000 mph to reach orbit (a “high velocity” bullet from an M16 rifle only travels at 3,500 mph)

• To escape Earth’s gravity a spacecraft must travel at 25,039 mph or more

• Temperatures for a spacecraft on orbit can range from +450° F (on the side facing the sun) to -450° F (on the side facing deep space)

• The acoustic energy (sound) from a space shuttle launch is the equivalent of eight million stereos (enough to crush bones at close range)

• The space shuttle weighs 4,500,000 lbs at lift off (its engines generate 6,825,000 lbs of force at lift off)

“Gee Whiz” Facts - $$$“Gee Whiz” Facts - $$$

• A typical commercial communications satellite costs

between $100,000,000 and $400,000,000

• A typical commercial launch vehicle costs between

$80,000,000 and $150,000,000

• Government missions can cost well over

$1,000,000,000

• A typical commercial communications satellite costs

between $100,000,000 and $400,000,000

• A typical commercial launch vehicle costs between

$80,000,000 and $150,000,000

• Government missions can cost well over

$1,000,000,000

How big are satellites and launch vehicles?

What is a satellite?

sat·el·lite Pronunciation: sa-tə-lītFunction: noun Etymology: Middle French, from Latin satellit-, satelles attendantDate: circa 15482 a : a celestial body orbiting another of larger size b : a manufactured object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another celestial body

sat·el·lite Pronunciation: sa-tə-lītFunction: noun Etymology: Middle French, from Latin satellit-, satelles attendantDate: circa 15482 a : a celestial body orbiting another of larger size b : a manufactured object or vehicle intended to orbit the earth, the moon, or another celestial body

What is an orbit?

What is it like in space?

• Extreme Temperatures• Total Vacuum• Zero Gravity• Intense Radiation

What do satellites do?

What do satellites do?

Globe Demonstration

DVD

What are the parts of a satellite?

What are the Parts of a Satellite?

• Bus Module– Structures & Mechanisms (mechanical systems)

– Power Subsystem (solar panels, batteries)

– Propulsion Subsystem (propellant tanks, Helium tanks, thrusters)

– Attitude Determination, Control, & Navigation Subsystem (Earth sensors, star sensors, reaction wheels, gyros, etc)

– Telemetry & Command Subsystem (remote control of the satellite)

– Thermal Subsystem (maintaining the correct temperature for the satellite)

• Payload Module– Payload Electronics– Data handling & communications– Other elements depend on the type of payload (e.g. optical sensors,

antennas, reflectors, etc.)

How Do You Test a Satellite?How Do You Test a Satellite?• Structural Testing

• Bus Module Electrical Testing

• Payload Module Electrical Testing

• Environmental Testing

• Vibration Testing (launch environment)

• Acoustic Testing (launch environment)

• Thermal Vacuum Testing (hot & cold temperatures and vacuum environment)

• Anechoic Chamber Testing (RF environment)

• Deployments (solar panels, reflectors, etc.)

• Structural Testing

• Bus Module Electrical Testing

• Payload Module Electrical Testing

• Environmental Testing

• Vibration Testing (launch environment)

• Acoustic Testing (launch environment)

• Thermal Vacuum Testing (hot & cold temperatures and vacuum environment)

• Anechoic Chamber Testing (RF environment)

• Deployments (solar panels, reflectors, etc.)

Case Study: GOES O SatelliteCase Study: GOES O Satellite

• Weather satellite built by Boeing for NASA and NOAA

• Launched June 27, 2009

• Launched on the Delta IV launch vehicle built by United Launch Alliance

• Launch site was Cape Canaveral AFS

• Launch Pad was Complex 37B

• Weather satellite built by Boeing for NASA and NOAA

• Launched June 27, 2009

• Launched on the Delta IV launch vehicle built by United Launch Alliance

• Launch site was Cape Canaveral AFS

• Launch Pad was Complex 37B

GOES O Integration & Test

Questions?Questions?

What is a Launch Vehicle?

What is a Launch Vehicle?

What are the parts of a

launch vehicle?

Atlas V

Proton

Delta IVHeavy

How do rocket engines work?

SolidPropellantEngine

Pre-Burner

Turbine

Oxidizer PumpFuel Pump

InjectorCombustion

Chamber

Nozzle

Fuel

Oxidizer

OxidizerControlValves

FuelControlValve

LiquidPropellantEngine

Where are satellites launched?

Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral AFSFlorida

Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral AFSFlorida

Vandenberg AFB California

Vandenberg AFB California

EquatorMid-Pacific

EquatorMid-Pacific

Baikonur CosmodromeKazakhstanBaikonur CosmodromeKazakhstan

Guiana Space CentreFrench GuianaGuiana Space CentreFrench Guiana

Xichang Space Launch CenterChinaXichang Space Launch CenterChina

Sea Launch Shuttle Proton Long MarchArianeAtlas V Delta II Delta IV

How does a launch vehicle put a satellite into orbit?

Booster Ascent & Upper Stage Burn #1

Upper Stage Burn #2

Spacecraft Separation

First ApogeePassage

GOES O Launch on Delta IV

Questions?Questions?

Next Boeing Launch: Wideband Global Satcom F3

Satellite built by Boeing for the U.S. Air Force

Provides communications for military forces in

Afghanistan, Iraq, and worldwide

Launch on the Delta IV launch vehicle built by

United Launch Alliance

Launch site is Cape Canaveral AFS

Launch Pad is Complex 37B

Launch date is late November 2009

Launch can be viewed on line at

ulalaunch.com

Launch status updates can be found on line at

spaceflightnow.com