Satellite Launching

Considerations
Concept of Transfer Orbit
WHAT IS ACTUAL SCALE OF ORBITS?

NOT EVEN CLOSE TO SCALE

 WHAT IS ACTUAL SCALE OF ORBITS?

GEO

EARTH

LEO, 300 km
WHAT IS ACTUAL SCALE OF ORBITS?

GEO

LEO
EARTH
 HOHMANN TRANSFER SUMMARY
Vc2
• We want to move spacecraft from
LEO → GEO
GEO
• Initial LEO orbit has radius r1 and
velocity Vc1

GM 
Vc1 
r1 LEO

r1

• Desired GEO orbit has radius r2

and velocity Vc2 Vc1
r2
• At LEO (r1), Vc1 = 7,724 m/s
• At GEO (r2), Vc2 = 3,074 m/s

• Could accomplish this in many

ways
 HOHMANN TRANSFER SUMMARY
Vc2
• We want to move spacecraft from
LEO → GEO
GEO
• Initial LEO orbit has radius r1 and
velocity Vc1

GM 
Vc1 
r LEO

r1

• Desired GEO orbit has radius r2

and velocity Vc2 Vc1
r2
• At LEO (r1), Vc1 = 7,724 m/s
• At GEO (r2), Vc2 = 3,074 m/s

• Could accomplish this in many

ways
 HOHMANN TRANSFER SUMMARY
Vc2
• We want to move spacecraft from
LEO → GEO
GEO
• Initial LEO orbit has radius r1 and
velocity Vc1

GM 
Vc1 
r LEO

r1

• Desired GEO orbit has radius r2

and velocity Vc2 Vc1
r2
• At LEO (r1), Vc1 = 7,724 m/s
• At GEO (r2), Vc2 = 3,074 m/s

• Could accomplish this in many

ways
 HOHMANN TRANSFER SUMMARY
Vc2
• We want to move spacecraft from
LEO → GEO
GEO
• Initial LEO orbit has radius r1 and
velocity Vc1

GM 
Vc1 
r LEO

r1

• Desired GEO orbit has radius r2

and velocity Vc2 Vc1
r2
• At LEO (r1), Vc1 = 7,724 m/s
• At GEO (r2), Vc2 = 3,074 m/s

• Accomplish this using Hohmann

Transfer Orbit
 HOHMANN TRANSFER SUMMARY
Vc2
• Impulsive DV1 is applied to get on
geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)
at perigee: GEO

2 2 
DV1   
r1 a r1 GTO
2 2 
 DV1    LEO
r1 r1  r2 r1
r1

  GM  Vc1 DV1
r2
V1

• Leave LEO (r1) with a total velocity

of V1
 HOHMANN TRANSFER SUMMARY
Vc2
• Impulsive DV1 is applied to get on Apogee
geostationary transfer orbit (GTO)
at perigee: GEO

2 2 
DV1   
r1 r1  r2 r1
GTO
LEO
  GM 
r1

• Leave LEO (r1) with a total velocity

of V1
Vc1 DV1
r2
V1
• Transfer orbit is elliptical shape
– Perigee located at r1
– Apogee located at r2
Perigee
 HOHMANN TRANSFER SUMMARY
Vc2
• Arrive at GEO (apogee) with V2
DV2 V2
• When arriving at GEO, which is at GEO
apogee or elliptical transfer orbit,
must apply some DV2 in order to
circularize:
GTO
 2 2
DV2    LEO
r2 r2 r1  r2
r1
  GM 
Vc1 DV1
• This is exactly the DV that should
be applied to circularize the orbit r2
V1
at GEO (r2)
– Vc2 = DV2 + V2
• If this DV is not applied, spacecraft
will continue on dashed elliptical
trajectory
 HOHMANN TRANSFER SUMMARY
Vc2
• Initial LEO orbit has radius r1 and
velocity Vc1 DV2 V2
GM  GEO
Vc1 
r

• Desired GEO orbit has radius r2 GTO

and velocity Vc2
LEO
• Impulsive DV1 is applied to get on
geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) r1
2 2 
DV1 
at perigee:  
r1 r1  r2 r1
Vc1 DV1
r2
V1
• Coast to apogee and apply
impulsiveDV2: 2  2
DV2   
r2 r2 r1  r2

  GM 
 Problem
• A satellite is to be launched to a GEO orbit (altitude = 36000
km). A launch vehicle is used to launch the satellite at a LEO
orbit of alititutde 360km. An elliptical Hohman transfer orbit
is used to launch the satellite to the GEO. Calculate the value
of velocity impulses ΔV1 and ΔV2 to be applied by the Perigee
Kick Motor and the Apogee Kick Motor respectively in order
to launch the satellite at the GEO. Give that the radius of the
Earth is 6371 km.
 Hint
r1  (360  6371)km
r2  (36000  6371)km

v1 
r1

v2 
r2
2 2
DV1    v1
r1 r1  r2
2 2
DV2  v2  
r2 r1  r2
 SUMMARY

• Hohmann Transfer Orbit

– Minimum energy trajectory
– Least fuel consumption (cheapest)
– Tends to be longest
– Reference Figure 10.16 in textbook

• Oberth Transfer Orbit

– Same basic idea: directly launch into transfer orbit
– Larger DV at r1
– Lower overall DV
– Minimum propulsive requirement to arrive in orbit

• General Comments
– Time does not appear in these expression
• Depends on orbital characteristics
– No Drag, No maneuvering near planet
– Faster trajectories require greater Dvtotal
 Oberth Effect
• In astronautics, a powered flyby, or Oberth maneuver, is a
maneuver in which a spacecraft falls into a gravitational well,
and then accelerates when its fall reaches maximum speed.
The resulting maneuver is a more efficient way to gain kinetic
energy than applying the same impulse outside of a
gravitational well. The gain in efficiency is explained by
the Oberth effect, wherein the use of an engine at higher
speeds generates greater mechanical energy than use at lower
speeds. In practical terms, this means that the most energy-
efficient method for a spacecraft to burn its engine is at the
lowest possible orbital periapsis, when its orbital velocity (and
so, its kinetic energy) is greatest.
Satellite Launching
 Considerations for Launching a Satellite
• Satellites stay in space for most of their life time. We know that the
environment of weightlessness is present in the space. That’s why satellites
don’t require additional strong frames in space. But, those are required
during launching process. Because in that process satellite shakes violently,
till the satellite has been placed in a proper orbit.

• The design of satellites should be compatible with one or more launch

vehicles in order to place the satellite in an orbit.

• We know that the period of revolution will be more for

higher apogee altitude according to Kepler’s second law. The period of
geostationary transfer orbit is nearly equal to 16 hours. If perigee is increased
to GEO altitude (around 36,000 km), then the period of revolution will
increase to 24 hours.
 Stages of Satellite Launch
• First Stage − The first stage of launch vehicle contains rockets
and fuel for lifting the satellite along with launch vehicle from
ground.
• Second Stage − The second stage of launch vehicle contains
smaller rockets. These are ignited after completion of first
stage. They have their own fuel tanks in order to send the
satellite into space.
• Third Stage − The third (upper) stage of the launch vehicle is
connected to the satellite fairing. This fairing is a metal shield,
which contains the satellite and it protects the satellite.
• Fourth Stage − Satellite gets separated from the upper stage
of launch vehicle, when it has been reached to out of Earth's
atmosphere. Then, the satellite will go to a “transfer orbit”.
This orbit sends the satellite higher into space.
Stages of Satellite Launch
First and Second Stage
 Types of Launch Vehicles
Expendable Launch Vehicles:
• Expendable launch vehicles (ELV) get destroyed after
leaving the satellites in space. The following image
shows how an ELV looks.
• The ELV contains three stages. First and second
stages of ELV raise the satellite to an about 50 miles
and 100 miles. Third stage of ELV places the satellite
in transfer orbit. The task of ELV will be completed
and its spare parts will be fallen to earth, when the
satellite reached to transfer orbit.
 Types of Launch Vehicles
Reusable Launch Vehicles
• Reusable launch vehicles (RLV) can be used multiple times for
launching satellites. Generally, this type of launch vehicles will
return back to earth after leaving the satellite in space.
• The following image shows a reusable launch vehicle. It is also
known as space shuttle.
• The functions of space shuttle are similar to the functions of first
and second stages of ELV. Satellite along with the third stage of
space shuttle are mounted in the cargo bay. It is ejected from the
cargo bay when the space shuttle reaches to an elevation of 150 to
200 miles.
• Then, the third stage of space shuttle gets fired and places the
satellite into a transfer orbit. After this, the space shuttle will
return back to earth for reuse.
 Types of Launch Vehicles

Expandable Launch Vehicles Reusable Launch Vehicles