The expendable vehicle and satellite development

The role of the expendable launch vehicle in the development of satellite systems is explored. The mechanical interface between the spacecraft and the launch vehicle is discussed, as is trajectory planning, using the earth synchronous orbit as an example. Performance considerations are addressed, including characteristic velocity. Payload weight optimization is considered, and a satellite system survey is presented, including discussions of the HS 376 communications satellite and the geostationary meteorological satellite. For both, the payload, attitude, and power system are described. Finally, Landsat and the multispectral scanner are discussed, emphasizing the benefits that various countries have derived from it.