Past experience and future prospects for launching our country's small spacecraft from Plesetsk launch site

Abstract

The paper provides an integrated analysis of the problem of the fast growing field of development and operation of Small Spacecraft (SS) constellations and participation of domestic launch site Plesetsk in solving this problem. It reviews the history of launches from Plesetsk, and describes the current status of work to build up and replenish SS-based orbital constellations. It describes major methods of SS launches. When describing multiple launches of SS on heavy launch vehicles it cites foreign practices of SpaceX Company, as well as lays down the prospects for development of our country’s heavy launch vehicles. As for the small-lift launch vehicles, it cites the experience of launching from Plesetsk of launch-vehicles Rokot and Soyuz-2 Phase 1v. For the super-small-lift launch vehicles, it cites the experience of USA and PRC, as well as our country’s development project of the launch vehicle Irkut, which is planned to be launched from Plesetsk, among other places. As for changes in the configuration of ground space infrastructure, the paper points out a trend towards processing SS at a single common processing facility (there is no need to construct processing facilities for each specific small spacecraft). The paper presents general trends in the system for operation of space facilities. The trends towards standardizing mechanical handling equipment in particular, and processing facilities in general, make it possible to lower development costs and speed up development schedules for advanced small spacecraft. Reducing small spacecraft processing time has a beneficial effect on the operational efficiency of the launch campaign, while the use of mobile checkout equipment makes it possible to quickly put together mobile and flexible processing facilities, the use of which will undoubtedly contribute to shaping the future of our country’s launch system. An important point made in the paper is the conclusion that in spite of our country’s lagging behind in super-small-lift launch vehicles, it has a significant scientific and engineering potential for developing this type of launch vehicles. Regardless of the value of other conclusions of the paper, the key point is that the current state of the ground space infrastructure facilities and the accumulated experience of specialists at Plesetsk make it possible to address the full spectrum of SS launch operations. Key words: small spacecraft, launch vehicles, ground space infrastructure, system for operation of space facilities.