LEO-system: how to select launchers and scenarios for rational deployment and replenishment

Abstract

Presently commercial low-Earth orbit satellite systems are being developed. The first constellations such as Iridium, Globalstar, Teledesic are to come into operation over the next few years, some satellites being placed into orbits. Possible launch and satellite failures as well as scheduled replacement and potential augmentation of a constellation would require further launches. So a new and rather significant segment of the launch services market is now emerging. The LEO-system deployment needs launchers which will be capable of placing several satellites into the same or different orbit planes.