Ariane launcher payload increase by a combined perigee-apogee-orbital transfer stage
Abstract
The increase of the payload capability of Ariane is a matter of great interest. The paper demonstrates that with the unchanged Ariane and a bipropellant combined perigee-apogee-transfer stage, higher payload can be brought into a geostationary orbit than when a solid apogee kickstage is used. Each propellant combination is examined at various mixture ratios, chamber pressures and expansion ratios to identify the propulsion system which gives maximum payload into a geosynchronous orbit when used as combined perigee-apogee-orbital transfer stage for Ariane. LH2/LO2 is best suited for geostationary mission. The payload increases that are possible with cryogenic orbital transfer vehicles are so large that other improvements in Ariane are rendered unnecessary.
- Publication:
-
Munich International Astronautical Federation Congress
- Pub Date:
- September 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979muni.iafcS....M
- Keywords:
-
- Ariane Launch Vehicle;
- Orbit Transfer Vehicles;
- Payloads;
- Transfer Orbits;
- Upper Stage Rocket Engines;
- Apogee Boost Motors;
- Binary Mixtures;
- Combustion Chambers;
- Liquid Propellant Rocket Engines;
- Liquid Rocket Propellants;
- Pressure Distribution;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles