Payload design requirements analysis (study 2.2). Volume 1: Executive summary

Abstract

Research was conducted to provide data on ways to effectively realize the projected cost reductions for payloads to be developed and operated in the shuttle era. Prior studies have indicated that the Shuttle concept of satellite operations will lead to a large reduction in overall payload cost. This study provides the data and insight into the methods of accomplishing these economic benefits. The study examined only payloads that will be launched on the shuttle/tug/sortie lab combinations. These payloads are of four types: (1) expendable; (2) ground refurbishable; (3) on-orbit maintainable; and (4) sortie. The expendable payloads are intended specifically for the shuttle/tug and not for expendable launch vehicles. Economic comparisons were made only between these four types of shuttle payloads and not between these payloads and current expendable launch vehicle payloads.