Near Term Space Transportation Systems for Earth Orbit and Planetary Applications

With the resumption of Space Shuttle flights in mid-1988, many of the initial flights will include a mix of upper stage propulsion systems for geosynchronous orbit and planetary mission applications. The purpose of this paper will be to provide a system definition and the modifications required to the Inertial Upper Stage and the Transfer Orbit Stage for the near term Space Shuttle missions, namely the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, Magellan, Galileo, Ulysses, Mars Observer, and the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite. The definition and capabilities of the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle, currently being developed by NASA to perforin a wide range of on-orbit missions and services in support of orbiting spacecraft, will also be included.