Payload Adapter for Satellite Missions Launched using ICBM-derived Launch Vehicles

"Deactivated ICBMs are a logical means of putting payloads into space, but missile systems are not designed for satellite launches, and payload accommodations on deactivated missiles are inadequate for standard payloads. Furthermore, the vibration andacoustic environments during launch of an ICBM are much more severe than the environments seen on a rocket developed specifically for satellites. The need for new, low-cost launch vehicles combined with the availability of these deactivated ICBMs drive aneed to develop a payload adapter to manifest multiple satellites on these new vehicles. CSA Engineering sees this as a unique opportunity to develop a modular, composite payload-adapter system with integrated vibration and acoustic suppressioncapability. The focus of our concept will be to develop an approach in which a minimal set of components can be interchanged to accommodate multiple payloads on one or more launch vehicles. Vibration damping and whole-spacecraft payload isolation havebecome proven technologies for reducing the dynamics environment during launch. This SBIR will develop new technology by integrating both types of vibration suppression into a low-cost composite payload adapter. One obvious market is the large number ofsmall satellites to be launched over the next several years by all branches of the DoD. These satellites could be launched on a variety of launch vehicles on which this new adapter could be used, in