Abstract: Functional and design concepts, and a number of promising scenarios for use of a low-cost, simple Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) are presented in this paper to help provide the rationale for developing such a vehicle for near-term use in supporting and...
Abstract: In-flight demonstration of close-range formation flying modes is discussed with emphasis on low cost, based on spacecraft design simplicity and minimum size, and hence minimum launch cost. Piggy-back launch of three identical demonstration spacecraft is the...
Abstract: Major cost reductions in planetary missions, especially those with high launch energy requirements, are made possible by a modified launch mode in which part of the total launch energy is generated by onboard propulsion rather than by the launch vehicle....
Abstract: Creating and maintaining the long term structure of a constellation can be a major element of cost and risk. Both can be substantially reduced by the use of straightforward, low-cost autonomous orbit maintenance. In most cases, this can be done with...
Abstract: The ability to substantially reduce the cost of planetary missions lies not only in the cost reductions to be found in spacecraft design but also in choice of launch vehicle. smaller launch vehicles are cheaper but are also less capable at lofting...
