Abstract
This report summarizes the results of a study (Vanek, 1993) which examined the utility of a bimodal propulsion and power system employed as an orbital transfer vehicle that could ferry large payloads from low earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous (GEO) and high earth orbit. The Autonomous Transfer System (ATS) consists of a transfer vehicle and its supporting mission elements. It is specifically designed to lower LEO‐GEO transportation costs. The ATS vehicle would rendezvous and dock with a payload/propellant package inserted into LEO by any of several Earth‐to orbit launchers, then perform a spiral‐out maneuver to GEO (or any other destination orbit). Following release of the payload, the tug would return to its parking orbit in LEO to await its next mission. After its useful lifetime (20 or more round trips) the tug would be disposed of by transferring it into a heliocentric orbit between Venus and Earth. Payload delivery capabilities are analyzed for different LEO launchers and the economics of the ATS concept are derived. Accumulated savings over the 20 round trips exceed $2B in FY92 dollars. Mission architecture and system trades result in a bimodal reactor operating at specific impulse of 770s and a thrust level of 180 N as a compromise between payload capability and bimodal system lifetime.
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