De-risk assessment: RESTORE - RidEshare STructure fOr micRo-launchEr
Programme
GSTP
Programme Reference
G617-241TAjk
Prime Contractor
SPACE STRUCTURES GMBH
Start Date
End Date
Status
Closed
Country
Germany
Objectives
• Development of a rideshare structure family, specifically designed for micro-launchers and small satellites
• Modular (adaptable to specific missions within the performance of the micro-launcher without significant additional development costs)
• Short lead times (goal: initial 4 months from kick-off to delivery, a gradual increase of stock parts storage for recurring elements, reducing the lead time below 3 months)
• Cost efficiency (goal: <5% of total launch cost, ~137.5k€ and ~275k€ respectively, selling price for the baseline (for 500kg payload) and max (for 1 ton payload) configurations)
Description
The trend to small satellite launches will further increase in the next years. Thus, there will be a growing demand for respective launches. The bandwidth of satellite sizes ranges here from 1U cubesats to microsats of up to 600 kg. This trend is also reflected by the activities of around 100 privately owned companies worldwide working on micro-launchers with planned maiden flights ranging from 2022-2026.
The envisaged benefit of such launchers is the precise and flexible orbit injection for each payload. But in order to be commercially successful also micro-launchers with typical payload ranges for LEO from 100kg to >1to facing the challenge on how to optimally use the existing launch capacity of their rocket. Hence, respective rideshare structures will be needed for that application.
Application Domain
Generic Technologies
Technology Domain
11 - Space Debris
Competence Domain
2-Structures, Mechanisms, Materials, Thermal
Initial TRL
TRL N/A
Target TRL
TRL N/A
Public Document
Executive Summary