Comparative analysis of the economic feasibility of using ultra-small spacecrafts

Abstract

The relevance of the issue under consideration is associated with the evolution of existing technologies, due to which the functionality increases and the mass of the payload decreases, as a result of which the question of the use of cost-effective launch vehicles is raised. The purpose of this work is to carry out a comparative analysis of the feasibility of using ultra-light launch vehicles to provide services for the delivery of small spacecraft to low-earth orbit. The article is written within the framework of socio-economic research methods. Retrospective analysis and comparative approach are combined with the use of quantitative methods. The theoretical significance of the study consists in the analysis of the modern operation of small spacecraft and the state of the world rocket and space industry, analysis of the existing strategy of the State Corporation Roscosmos in the development of a new line of reusable launch vehicles and consideration of promising projects of domestic private companies involved in the creation of ultra-light launch vehicles. The practical significance lies in the possibility of using the results of studying the intensity of space launches when making strategic decisions on the use of ultra-light launch vehicles. Based on the assessment of existing forecasts for the development and creation of small-sized spacecraft, it is concluded that the world space market is interested in the types of satellites and classes of launch vehicles for their launch.