Small Launch Orbital Vehicles
The Moog Small Launch Vehicle (SL-MO) is an advanced propulsive system for secondary payload launch aimed at
UK space agency for satellite applications. The SL-MO is designed for launch on VCLR with a maximum payload capacity of 150 kilograms or more including spaceport based boosters.
The SL-MO will launch a cluster of CubeSat or satellite constellations on VCLR and is used to deploy ESPA (Extended Service Agreement) Class satellites into a highly elliptical orbit. A secondary payload capability of 60 kilograms is available and it can be easily mounted by a crane on a launch platform.
Space Surveillance and Surveying
The Small Launch Vehicle is basically a four wheeled semi-submersible vessel which contains a launch tube, outboard motor, and an onboard propulsion system. It is equipped with a hydraulic system for controlling the hydraulic pumps, control valves, and flotation equipment. The semi-submersible design allows the SL-MO, to be launched in the ocean and is well suited for shallow water launches. It is equipped with an emergency descent feature, which gives the vehicle a chance to land in an alternate location in the event of an accident or engine failure during launch.
The primary payload capabilities of the SL-MO include Space Surveillance, Survey, and CubeSat LEO missions. It can also be used as a booster for other VSTOL (Vertical takeoff and landing) vehicles and as a Lander for the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR).
For use as a booster, the SL-MO can launch the same satellites as the larger VX or VAZ launch vehicles, but the vehicle will use a larger amount of fuel and launch mass and velocity. When used as a Lander, the SL-MO can carry a number of small science satellites which are either CubeSat-like.
This launch vehicle is primarily used for use as a booster for VSTOL launch vehicles, however it can also be used as a launch vehicle for many other Rocket systems such as the Space Shuttle, Atlas, Delta and RL-60. This vehicle also offers a secondary launch capability of up to a maximum of 50 kilograms. depending upon its primary payload and launch platform.
In comparison to its larger siblings, the SL-MO has less drag and a more compact launch vehicle profile. As a result, it is a great choice for low Earth orbit launches and also for use in medium Earth orbit applications. Because the vehicle is able to be launched from a smaller platform, the SL-MO is able to remain in a lower Earth orbit for much longer periods of time than many of its larger counterparts.
It can also launch into a lower Earth orbit, where it can maintain an elevated launch profile until reaching a higher altitude where it will then perform a rapid descent to a landing position. If necessary, the vehicle can descend to a different landing site until reaching the desired destination.
The primary payload of this launch vehicle is the Space Surveillance System, which is used to track space objects in orbit and provide early warnings of impending collisions or other space debris that could potentially damage a spacecraft. The small secondary payload of the vehicle is the Earth Observation system which will detect and identify orbiting objects and satellites in orbit.
