Research to develop cost-effective launch systems and to manage improved program schedule. Includes the work to:
- Define the launch site* location,
- Define the legal statue/regulations to be followed,
- Understand and define the insurance for the launch vehicle, launch site and the satellite(s) to be launched,
- Define the security and safety regulations at the launch site,
- Understand and transform user needs/requirements into specifications for the launch site and the launch vehicle,
- Design and analyse the launch missions,
- Define the launch system architecture and technologies to be used,
- Integrate launch system subsystems including the fairing,
- Develop the launch vehicle flight software,
- Analyse the launch vehicle performances,
- Understand thermal management of the launch vehicle including the fairing hosting the satellite(s) to be launched,
- Achieve multi-disciplinary optimization,
- Develop improved cost-effective verification and evaluation methods for the launch vehicle and launch site. * Launch site consists of at least the following functional units:
- Launch vehicle integration and test center,
- Payload (satellite) and fairing integration and test center,
- Launch pad,
- Propellant storage, filling and test station,
- Launch control center(s) (including the antenna subsystem(s) to communicate with the Launch Vehicle),
- Tracking radar system.
Defense Industry Terminology