The FALCON (Force Application and Launch from CONUS) program is a technology demonstration effort with three major components: a Small Launch Vehicle (SLV), a Common Aero Vehicle (CAV), and a Hypersonic Cruise Vehicle (HCV). Sponsored by DARPA and executed jointly by the United States Air Force and DARPA with NASA participation, the objectives are to develop and demonstrate technologies that will enable both near-term and far-term capability to execute time-critical, global reach missions. The focus of this paper is on the SLV as it relates to small satellites and the implications of lower cost to orbit for small satellites. The target recurring cost for placing 1000 pounds payloads into a circular reference orbit of 28.5 degrees at 100 nautical miles is $5,000,000 per launch. This includes range costs but not the payload or payload integration costs. In addition to the nominal 1000 pounds to LEO, FALCON is seeking delivery of a range of orbital payloads from 220 pounds to 2200 pounds to the reference orbit. Once placed on alert status, the SLV must be capable of launch within 24 hours.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Small Satellites and the DARPA/Air Force Falcon Program


    Contributors:
    D. J. Weeks (author) / S. H. Walker (author) / R. L. Sackheim (author)

    Publication date :

    2004


    Size :

    10 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Small satellites and the DARPA-Air Force FALCON program

    Weeks, David J. | Online Contents | 2005


    Small Satellites and the DARPA/Air Force Falcon Program

    Weeks, David J. / Walker, Steven H. / Sackheim, Robert L. | NTRS | 2004


    Small satellites and the DARPA/Air Force FALCON program

    Weeks, D. J. / Walker, S. H. / Sackheim, R. L. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2005


    The DARPA/USAF Falcon Program Small Launch Vehicles

    Weeks, David J. / Walker, Steven H. / Thompson, Tim L. et al. | NTRS | 2006


    The DARPA /USAF FALCON Program Small Launch Vehicles

    Weeks, D. / London, J. / Walker, S. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006