What is ESPA satellite?
What is ESPA satellite?
ESPA, the Evolved Secondary Payload Adapter, was developed for the Air Force to utilize excess launch capacity by mounting additional payloads below the primary spacecraft. This reduces launch costs for the primary mission and enables secondary and even tertiary satellites with minimal impact to the original mission.
How big is an ESPA class satellite?
Such SmallSats typically range in size from 12U CubeSats (approximately 24 x 23 x 36 cm and 25 kg)3,4 to Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) class satellites (approximately 61 x 71 x 97 cm and 200 kg)5,6.
What is an ESPA class payload?
The EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) is an adapter for launching secondary payloads on orbital launch vehicles.
What can CubeSats be used for?
CubeSats are now commonly used in low Earth orbit for applications such as remote sensing and communications. But as engineers become more familiar with the technology, CubeSats are beginning to venture farther afield.
What do CubeSats look like?
The basic design of a cubesat is a 10-centimeter (4-inch) cube with a mass of less than 1.33 kilograms (2.93 lbs.), the article added. But variations on the theme are possible. Cubesats can also be designed to encompass two, three or six 10-centimeter units for more complicated missions.
What is the EELV secondary payload adapter (ESPA)?
The EELV Secondary Payload Adapter—ESPA, also called an ESPA ring—is a payload adapter ring for launching secondary payloads on orbital launch vehicles.
What does EELV stand for?
The ESPA ring was developed as the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter to utilize excess launch capacity by mounting additional payloads below the primary payload.
What does ESPA stand for?
The EELV Secondary Payload Adapter ( ESPA) is an adapter for launching secondary payloads on orbital launch vehicles .
What is an ESPA ring?
The EELV Secondary Payload Adapter — ESPA, also called an ESPA ring —is a payload adapter ring for launching secondary payloads on orbital launch vehicles .