Analysis of the Basic Design Parameters of a Small Upper Stage
The contemporary space market is in need of small upper stages for performing operations for the delivery of small spacecraft to a working orbit and for solving other problems of interorbital operations. Based on materials that are publicly available, an overview of upper stages of spacecraft is given, including the concepts of small upper stages that are under study. An analysis of the design parameters of a small upper stage was carried out, the tasks of which are to deliver a payload of 500 kg to a geostationary orbit from a low Earth orbit, refuel and return to low Earth orbit. The obtained results are compared with the parameters of the operating upper stages. The design and development of small upper stages is at the development stage and is a promising area of research. The application of a reusable upper stage will allow it to be returned to Earth employing reusable launch vehicles.