Expendable launch vehicles for synchronous communication satellites

A tutorial description of the expendable launch vehicle family suitable for the synchronous communication satellite mission is presented. The intent of this paper is to familiarize the communication satellite community with the launch vehicle/satellite as a 'system' and to discuss broad aspects of this 'system' that are of importance to this satellite mission. Five U.S. launch vehicles (Scout, Deltas 2914 and 3914, Atlas/Centaur and Titan IIIC), two French vehicles (Diamant B.P4 and Ariane) and the Japanese N-vehicle are included in the discussion. Launch vehicle physical characteristics, performance, mission flight profile, interfaces with satellites, cost, and reliability are reviewed and their importance to the satellite designer is discussed. Launch-vehicle-related analyses that can and often should be carried out by the satellite designer to optimize a launch vehicle/satellite 'system' are discussed.