M5528/98ml Report of the COMSTAC Technology & Innovation Working Group Commercial Spacecraft Mission Model Update May 1998 Report of the COMSTAC Technology & Innovation Working Group Commercial Spacecraft Mission Model Update May 1998 Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Federal Aviation Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Federal Aviation Administration U.S. Department of Transportation Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC)
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M5528/98ml
Report of the COMSTAC Technology & Innovation Working Group
Commercial Spacecraft Mission Model Update
May 1998
Report of the COMSTAC Technology & Innovation Working Group
Commercial Spacecraft Mission Model Update
May 1998
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space TransportationFederal Aviation Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space TransportationFederal Aviation Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC)
Printed for DOT/FAA/AST byRocketdyne Propulsion & Power, Boeing North American, Inc.
Report of theCOMSTAC Technology & Innovation Working Group
COMMERCIAL SPACECRAFT MISSION MODEL UPDATE
May 1998
Paul Fuller, ChairmanTechnology & Innovation Working Group
Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC)Associative Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation
Federal Aviation AdministrationU.S. Department of Transportation
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
COMMERCIAL MISSION MODEL UPDATE........................................................................ 1
APPENDIX A – 1998 DISCUSSION AND RESULTS......................................................... A-1A.1 Background ............................................................................................................ A-2A.2 1998 Mission Model ............................................................................................... A-3A.3 Forecast of Demand for Payload Launches.............................................................. A-3
A.3.1 1998 Payload Launch Demand..................................................................... A-3A.3.2 Comparison with 1997 Report ..................................................................... A-4A.3.3 Approach to Demand Modeling................................................................... A-4A.3.4 Forecast Uncertainties ................................................................................. A-5A.3.5 Methodology and Calculations..................................................................... A-5
A.4 Trends in Payload Launch Mass .............................................................................. A-6
A.4.1 Payload Mass Definitions............................................................................. A-6
A.4.2 Variation Between Estimates ....................................................................... A-6
A.4.3 How Heavy is “Heavy?”.............................................................................. A-7
A.4.4 Why are Commercial Payloads Getting Bigger? ........................................... A-7
A.4.5 Methodology and Calculations..................................................................... A-8
A.4.5.1 Basis of Figure 3.1 ........................................................................ A-8
A.4.5.2 Basis of Figure 3.2 ........................................................................ A-8
A.5 International Participation ....................................................................................... A-9
A.6 Derivation of Launch Demand ..................................................................................A-9
APPENDIX B – 1998-2000 NEAR-TERM MISSION MODEL ........................................... B-1
APPENDIX C – 1988-1997 MISSION MODEL – HISTORY .............................................. C-1
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COMMERCIAL MISSION MODEL UPDATE
1. INTRODUCTION
The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Office of the Associate Administrator forCommercial Space Transportation (AST) of the U.S. Department of Transportation(DOT) endeavors to foster a healthy commercial space launch capability in the UnitedStates. An important element of these efforts is to establish the commercial spaceindustry’s view of future space launch requirements. Since 1993, the DOT has requestedthat its industry advisory group, the Commercial Space Transportation AdvisoryCommittee (COMSTAC), prepare and maintain a commercial spacecraft launch demandmission model.
This report presents the 1998 update of the worldwide commercial geosynchronoustransfer orbit (GTO) satellite mission model for the period 1998 through 2010. It is basedon market forecasts obtained in early 1998 from major spacecraft manufacturers, satelliteoperators and launch service providers. The mission model is limited to “addressable”payloads only (i.e., payloads open to internationally competed launch serviceprocurements). Payloads captive to any launch systems are excluded from the missionmodel. Note that the number of projected vehicle launches per year is a subset of thispayload launch demand forecast due to the potential for multiple manifesting of satelliteson launch vehicles. Also, low-earth orbit (LEO) and medium-earth orbit (MEO) payloadsare not included in this mission model. The FAA/AST develops the LEO/MEO marketforecasts in a separate report using a different forecast methodology (Reference 1).
2. 1998 MISSION MODEL UPDATE METHODOLOGY
Through a process used since 1993, the Technology and Innovation Working Groupsolicited input from industry via a letter sent over the signature of the AssociateAdministrator for Commercial Space Transportation (Reference 2). The letter requestedmarket projection data representing the best forecast of the number of addressablecommercial GTO payloads per year in the period 1998 - 2010. Respondents completed atable that segregated payloads into categories of “Medium,” “Intermediate” and “Heavy”based on separated mass inserted into a nominal transfer orbit, assuming launch at 28°north latitude. The classifications are representative of a clustering of similar capabilitylaunch vehicles with examples as follows:
GTO Launch Capability(200 nm x GEO orbit @ i=28°)
MassClassification
RepresentativeLaunch Vehicle
2,000-4,000 lb(907-1,814 kg)
Medium Dual Ariane 4/5, dual H-IIA, Delta II, Long March 3or 3A
4,000-9,000 lb(1,814-4,083 kg)
Intermediate Dual Ariane 4/5, Atlas IIA, IIAS, Atlas IIIA, DeltaIII, HII-A, Long March 2E or 3C, Sea Launch, ProtonD1e
>9,000 lb(>4,083 kg)
Heavy Dedicated Ariane 4/5, H-IIA, Delta IV, Atlas IIIB,Proton M, Sea Launch, Long March 3B
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In 1998, the following organizations responded with data used in the development of thisreport:
American Mobile Radio Corp. Japan Satellite Systems, Inc.Arianespace, Inc.* Loral SkynetAsia Satellite Telecommunications, Ltd. Motorola/CelestriThe Boeing Company* Optus CommunicationsCOMSAT PanAmSatGE American Communications, Inc. PT Satellite Palapa IndonesiaHughes Space & Communications* Rocket System Corporation*ICO Global Communications Societe Europeene Des SatellitesINTELSAT/ICO & INC Space Systems/Loral*Lockheed Martin Telecomm. (LMT)* TRWInternational Launch Services*
Comprehensive mission model forecasts (of the total addressable market of payloadsseeking GTO launch services) were received from those organizations marked by anasterisk (*). Other responses provided partial market or company specific payload launchdemand information. Market demand data were received from foreign as well as domesticorganizations. The Technology and Innovation Working Group expresses their sincereappreciation for the inputs provided by the international organizations.
3. CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions are based on the results of this 1998 update of the worldwidecommercial GTO mission model:
• The 1998 COMSTAC Commercial Mission Model (Figure 1.0) indicates theaverage demand for commercial GTO payload launch services will be 33spacecraft per year in the period 1998-2010. This is the same average value (33payloads per year) obtained in the 1997 mission model update. However, thehigh-low dispersions, which represent the highest and lowest data point in anygiven year, are large and underscore the uncertainty in predicting the market.
• The 1998 forecast closely matches the 1997 forecast in the out-years, but thenear-term forecast shows a “flattening” of the demand (Figure 2.0). In addition,the 1999 forecast shows a sizable reduction from last year’s report; from 40payloads to 29 payloads, a drop of 11 satellites. The Working Group attributedthis to a short-term response to the Asian economic crisis (the majority of the 11payloads removed from the 1997 forecast are Asian launch opportunities).Many of these appear to have been delayed or deferred into the 2000-2001timeframe. Other factors contributing to the decline in 1999 include continuingdisappointments in project financing for several GEO regional mobile satelliteprograms and unanticipated delays in start-up financing for the emerging Ka-band market.
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• The forecast mass distribution of commercial payloads reflects a trend towardheavier satellites (Figure 3.1), continuing the trend identified in the 1997 report.Factors influencing the demand for heavier commercial satellites include theavailability of several new heavy-lift launch vehicles, the increased costeffectiveness of larger spacecraft (on a dollars per transponder basis), theincreasing spacecraft power requirements, larger antennae requirements, andincreased orbital congestion.
• The trends in mass evolution are portrayed in Figure 3.2, and suggest that theIntermediate payload market will decrease as a percent of the total annualmarket, while the Heavy segment will increase. The Medium categoryrepresents a small fraction of the market and is relatively stable. The emergingheavy lift segment includes a significant number of payloads that are forecast toexceed the capability of current US launchers.
• The vehicle launch demand forecast is presented in Figure 4.0 and Table 3.0. Itwas derived from the payload launch demand forecast by taking into account thegrowing trend in dual manifesting of commercial satellites. Note that thisconversion from payload to vehicle launch demand is based on the marketcapture assumptions noted in Table 3.0.
Complete tabular data are contained in Tables 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0. The data analysis andmarket projection results are contained in Appendix A. The detailed 1998-2000 Near-Term Mission Model is contained in Appendix B. The 1988-1997 Payload LaunchHistory is contained in Appendix C.
4. RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that this 1998 COMSTAC Commercial Spacecraft Mission ModelUpdate be provided to appropriate US Government agencies for their use, and that it bereleased to the general public. Also, it is recommended that the COMSTAC Technology& Innovation Working Group prepare and provide briefings on the interpretation andimplications of the 1998 Mission Model update to the appropriate US Governmentagencies.
5. REFERENCES
1. Department of Transportation Report, “LEO Commercial Market Projections,”April 1997.
2. Depart of Transportation Letter, dated 3/12/98, Patricia Smith.
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COMSTAC Historical
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Figure 1.0. 1998 COMSTAC Commercial GTO Mission Model
1) The “Highest” and “Lowest” inputs are the maximum and minimum individual estimates provided for any one year inthe comprehensive US forecasts provided. No single forecast was consistently higher or lower than the “AverageRate” throughout the forecast period.
2) The highest comprehensive forecast was 483 addressable payloads to be launched from 1998 through 2010. Thelowest was 383 and the average was 429.
3) The yearly “Average Rate” forecast numbers represent the sum of all yearly forecast-payload laun ch rates dividedby the number of all comprehensive US Forecasts provided.
4) The 1998-2000 figures reflect the consensus forecast developed by the Working Group members and is presentedin Appendix B, “1998-2000 Near-Term Mission Model.”
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Table 2.0 Forecast Trends in Payload Mass Distribution
4) Computational Note: Microsoft Office 97 Excel 8.0 was used for the data analyses. The AVERAGE function wasused to average the industry inputs. The ROUND, followed by the TRUNC, functions were then used to convert tointeger values. Finally, the SUM function was used to obtain totals and the AVERAGE function applied to obtainoverall averages.
1) Payload Launch Demand is the annual Average Rate foreca st per Table 1.0.
2) Assumed Dual Launches is the annual number of dual payload launches assumed to occur from 1998 – 2010. Thisrepresents the market share captured by unspecified dual payload launch vehicles : six (6) per year from 1998 –2002, and ten (10) per year from 2003 – 2010 (see A.6, Appendix A).
3) Vehicle Launch Demand is the derived annual demand for launch vehicles based on the assumptions of Note 2.
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Report of theCOMSTAC Technology & Innovation Working Group
COMMERCIAL SPACECRAFT MISSION MODEL UPDATE
May 1998
APPENDIX A1998 DISCUSSION AND RESULTS
Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC)Office of Commercial Space Transportation
Federal Aviation AdministrationUS Department of Transportation
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A. 1998 DISCUSSION AND RESULTS
A.1 BACKGROUND
COMSTAC prepared the first commercial mission model in April 1993 as part of a reporton commercial space launch systems requirements (Reference A1). Each year since 1993,COMSTAC has issued an updated model. The process has been continuously refined andindustry participation has broadened each year to capture the most realistic portrayal ofspace launch demand possible. Over the years, the COMSTAC mission model has beenwell received by industry, government agencies and international organizations.
1993: The first report was developed by the major launch service providers in the US andcovered the period 1992-2010. The report projected only modest growth intelecommunications markets based mainly on replenishment of existing satellites, with onlylimited new satellite applications. Annual forecast demand averaged about 10.5 payloadsper year.
1994: Beginning in 1994, major US spacecraft manufacturers (Hughes Space andCommunications, Martin Marietta AstroSpace, Space Systems/Loral and TRW) alsobegan to contribute to the market demand database. The 1994 mission model (ReferenceA2) projected an average demand of 17 payloads per year over the forecast period of1994-2010, with some members of the spacecraft manufacturing community believing themission model to be too conservative.
1995: In 1995, the Technology and Innovation Working Group was formally chartered toprepare an annual Commercial Spacecraft Mission Model Update Report (Reference A3).The organizations from which the market demand forecasts were requested was furtherexpanded to include satellite operators, in addition to spacecraft manufacturers and launchservice providers. The 1995 data contained sizable variations in projected launch demandwith a significant degree of polarization around two differing viewpoints. Therefore, atwo case scenario was adopted for the 1995 mission model. A “Modest Growth” scenarioprojected an average launch demand of approximately 20 payloads per year over theperiod 1995-2010. A “Higher Growth” scenario forecast the demand to be an average of32 payloads per year. The primary difference between the two was the assumption of asegment called “unidentified growth” in the “Higher Growth” scenario based onproprietary information from the survey respondents.
In the 1995 model there was general agreement among the participants regarding thedistribution of payloads among the different weight classes. In both the “Modest Growth”and “Higher Growth” cases, approximately 70% of the payloads were forecast to be in theIntermediate category (4000-8000 lb), with 15% each in the Medium (2000-4000 lb) andthe Heavy (>8,000 lb) classes.
1996: The 1996 annual update expanded the request for input data to a greater number ofcompanies and satellite operators. The resulting forecast (Reference A4) represented aconsensus on the size of the market, which was close to the 1995 “Higher Growth” case,with average annual demand of 31 payloads per year. However, in the case of mass
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distribution, the group agreed to portray two cases: “Stable Mass Growth” and“Continued Mass Growth.” The “Stable Mass Growth” scenario predicted thatIntermediate payloads would represent 70% of the market over the forecast period, whilethe “Continued Mass Growth” case reflected the emergence of a segment of Heavypayloads, representing 42% of the total market.
1997: The annual mission model update in 1997 (Reference A5) included a sectiondiscussing the forecast data from foreign organizations, which are not included in ourformal COMSTAC mission model. It also included a first attempt to derive vehicle launchdemand from the payload launch demand projections by consideration of dual manifestingof spacecraft on launch vehicles. The market forecast from US inputs predicted anaverage annual spacecraft demand of 33 payloads per year from 1997 – 2010. Of these, itwas projected that an average of 6 co-manifested launches per year would occur through2002, and 10 per year from 2003 – 2010. Consensus was reached on the mass growth,with projected demand for Heavy (> 9,000 lb to GTO) reaching over 50% of the annualdemand by 2010.
A.2 1998 MISSION MODEL
The 1998 COMSTAC mission model consists of 3 elements. The first is a forecast ofdemand for internationally competed launches of commercial payloads to geostationarytransfer orbit (GTO) from 1998 to 2010. The second is an estimate of the massdistribution of these payloads. The third element is a launch vehicle demand projectionderived from the payload launch demand forecast. The results of 1998’s assessment ofthese elements are discussed below.
A.3 FORECAST OF DEMAND FOR PAYLOAD LAUNCHES
A.3.1 1998 Payload Launch Demand. Figure 1.0 shows the COMSTAC Technologyand Innovation Working Group’s forecast demand for commercial launch services toGTO. The figure plots the actual number of payloads launched from 1988 through 1997(“COMSTAC Historical”). It then displays the range of the individual comprehensiveestimates provided by Working Group members from 1998 onward and compares themwith the average of the comprehensive estimates combined (“COMSTAC Forecast”).
The ranges of the independent estimates are plotted as high-low lines above and below theaverage. Each high-low line represents the highest and lowest individual estimateprovided in any one year. The dashed lines that link the series of highest and lowestestimates were added to show the range of inputs. They do not represent any onemember’s consistently higher or lower input.
This year’s mission model predicts an average demand of 33 payloads per year over theperiod from 1998–2010. The near-term forecast from 1998–2000 shows that the demandof 33 launches in 1998 drops to 29 in 1999, then increases again to 33 in 2000. Demandremains relatively constant until a cyclic dip occurs around the year 2004. This is followedby a resurgence in demand thereafter, fueled by replenishment requirements for existingtelecommunications satellites and varying estimates of out-year growth.
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The near-term forecast from 1998 to 2000 was established by the Working Group bydetail review of current launch manifests from the launch service providers and spacecraftmanufacturers and operators. This results in a single consensus demand projection for theyears 1998 and 1999. However, from the year 2000 and beyond, the majority of theprojected payloads have not been manifested on specific launch vehicles, and a singleconsensus demand projection could not be established.
A.3.2 Comparison with 1997 Report -- Figure 2.0 compares this year’s forecast withlast year’s forecast. The 1998 mission model predicts an average of 33 satellites per yearwill be launched into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) over the period 1998–2010. Lastyear’s mission model also predicted an average demand of 33 payloads per year over theperiod 1997–2010. Thus, there is a consistency in the overall payload launch demandforecast over the past two years.
However, the 1998 near-term forecasts varied significantly from the 1997 near-termprojections. Specifically, the 1999 launch forecast made this year shows a sizablereduction from last year’s mission model: from 40 payload to about 29 payloads (a drop of11 payloads). The Working Group attributed this mainly to a short-term response to theAsian economic crisis. A majority of the 11 payloads removed from the forecast for 1999are Asian launch opportunities that have been delayed or deferred into the 2000–2001timeframe. Other factors contributing to the decline include continued disappointments inproject financing for several GEO regional mobile satellite programs, and unanticipateddelays in start-up financing for the emerging Ka-frequency band satellite market.Recognition must also be made of the dynamic nature of the near-term launch manifestcaused by administrative, technical, and programmatic changes.
A.3.3 Approach to Demand Modeling -- The approach used to forecast commercialsatellite demand included evaluation of:
• Firm contracted missions
• Current satellite operator planned and replenishment missions
• Projected operator growth and growth replenishment missions
• An estimate of “unidentified growth.”
In addition to these considerations, an attrition rate factor of 10% of annual launchdemand was also assumed. This factor includes on-orbit satellite and launch vehiclefailures, with the replacement assumed to occur 2 years following the failure. The“unidentified growth” estimates include proprietary, company-specific information, andassumptions on future markets. Differing assessments of “unidentified growth” were themajor factor in the high-low variance range in the mission model forecast data.
The near-term COMSTAC mission model (1998-2000) is based on an assessment of thecurrently manifested launches and payloads soon to be assigned to launch vehicles. Sincethese missions are identified by name, the near-term forecast does not account forunanticipated launch failures from previous years, nor delays in the launch vehicle or
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satellite supply chain. For example, last year the Working Group forecast that 33addressable commercial satellites would be launched into GTO in 1997. The actualnumber was 28, for a difference of 5 satellites. This was because five scheduled payloadlaunches were postponed from 1997 into 1998. This pattern of firm schedulecommitments, followed by modest delays has appeared consistently in previous editions ofour mission model forecasts.
A.3.4 Forecast Uncertainties -- A key issue raised by the Working Group involved thedifficulty and uncertainty in forecasting the commercial launch market beyond a five-yearplanning horizon. Most members felt confident in their forecasts over the next severalyears. Beyond five years, however, there was a problem with visibility into newcommercial programs that may occur, but for which satellite operators have not made orannounced serious plans. This stems from the fact that it can take only three years, andoften less, to start a commercial satellite system, including financing, frequencycoordination, satellite construction and launch.
In the 2005-2010 time frame, most working group members had less confidence in theirforecasts. The long-term growth shown in most forecasts is the result of two keyvariables. The first variable is the replenishment of existing satellites and satellites aboutto be launched over the next several years. The second variable involves differingassessments of planned and unidentified missions and forecast operator growth.
Most Working Group members felt strongly that today’s existing C and Ku-bandinfrastructure will be replaced. On the other hand, the long term potential of emergingnew applications (such as new Ka-band “internet in the sky” systems), while potentiallyvery large, was very difficult to quantify at this point in time.
A.3.5 Methodology and Calculations -- The average launch rate from 1998 through2010 was calculated by adding the five (5) domestic comprehensive forecasts together anddividing them by five (5) (Figure 1.0 and Table 1.0).
Estimates for 1998 and 1999 reflect the consensus forecast developed by the WorkingGroup based on currently manifest payloads. These are provided in detail in Appendix B,“1998-2000 Near-Term Mission Model.” However, in the year 2000, consensus couldnot be reached on a single forecast number of payload launches. The estimates variedbetween 33 and 35 payloads. The variation in estimates for 2000 reflect independentassessments of the likelihood or timing of the unassigned or “Spacecraft Not Ordered(NO)” programs annotated in Appendix B.
The highest and lowest inputs (shown in Figure 1.0 and Table 1.0) represent the singlehighest or lowest estimated number of payloads to be launched in that year submitted inany of the forecasts. No single comprehensive forecast was consistently higher or lowerthan the average throughout the forecast period. Therefore, the maximum inputs andminimum inputs are not additive. Accordingly, the highest single cumulative estimateacross the 1998-2010 forecast period was 483 addressable commercial payloads to belaunched. The lowest cumulative estimate was 383 and the average was 429.
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A.4 TRENDS IN PAYLOAD LAUNCH MASS
Figures 3.1 and 3.2 reflect the Working Group’s consensus forecast on how commercialsatellite payload mass will evolve. This year, as in 1997, the Working Group reached abroad consensus that commercial payload launch mass would probably continue togradually increase in the future.
Figure 3.1 shows the annual number of payloads in each of the Medium (2,000 – 4,000lb), Intermediate (4,000 – 9,000 lb) and Heavy (> 9,000 lb) payload categories from 1998– 2010. Figure 3.2 shows these same data as a year-by-year percentage of each masscategory over the same period. This figure is perhaps the most representative of thegroup’s collective viewpoints regarding mass growth.
As indicated, the number of Intermediate mass payload launches is forecast to decreasegradually from about 70% of the market to about 40% of the market during the forecastperiod. The number of Heavy launches is forecast to increase correspondingly. Thenumber of Medium mass payload launches, however, is expected to remain relativelyconstant at about 2-3 a year (or 10% of the market) as small countries and new operatorscontinue to enter the GEO satellite market.
A.4.1 Payload Mass Definitions. The payload mass class definitions were refined in1997 to reflect new market entrants like Delta III and Atlas III. The Heavy HLV massclass, defined as payloads heavier than 9,000 lb, applies to payloads to be launched in1998 and beyond, consistent with the planned first launches of U.S. vehicles whoseperformance will greatly exceed the previous 8,000 lb threshold used in forecasts for 1996and prior years. The definition has also been clarified to refer specifically to launch vehicleperformance (vs. launch mass) greater than or equal to 9,000 lb to a nominalgeosynchronous transfer orbit of 200 nm x GEO at an inclination of 28° north.
In practice, this keeps the HLV mass category definition consistent with a performancegreater than that available from a U.S. launch site without degradation in required satellitelifetime. This definition is also consistent with the less than 8,000 lb performancehistorically available from U.S. launchers since 1988, as reflected in the historical tables inprevious COMSTAC commercial spacecraft mission models.
A.4.2 Variation Between Estimates. It is important to note that there was still a widevariety of opinion as to how far and how fast trends in commercial satellite payload massmay evolve. Both Figures 3.1 and 3.2 may overstate the apparently inexorable or linearnature of payload mass growth. They should not be read as, “In the year 2002 there willbe exactly 18 intermediate and 12 heavy-class payloads.”
Figures 3.1 and 3.2 (and corresponding Table 2.0) may be better interpreted as, “Withinfive years, we could see as many as 18 intermediate and 12 heavy-class payloads, plus orminus 4-7 payloads either way.”
Alternatively, based on our consensus estimate, the number of intermediate payloadslaunched per year will equal the number of heavy payloads launched some time between2004-2005. Based on the variation between working group member inputs, however, one
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might read Figure 3.2 as indicating this might occur as early as 2003 or perhaps at somepoint beyond the year 2007.
A.4.3 How Heavy Is “Heavy?” One frequently asked question to the COMSTACWorking Group is: How heavy will the next generation of “heavy” commercial satellitesbe? Is there a limit to payload mass growth and how much over the 9,000-lb thresholdwill commercial satellites weigh?
The Working Group agrees that the next generation of commercial satellites currentlyunder development will probably take full advantage of the lift capacity available for saleon the commercial market. In other words, demand for heavy commercial satellites couldgrow to meet the supply of heavy lift launchers, but not beyond.
Consistent, therefore, with the 1996 COMSTAC Commercial Space Launch SystemsRequirements document (Reference A6), this would imply “heavy” commercial satellitescould weigh as much as 11,000 lb by 1998-2000, and as much as 15,000 lb or more in thefuture.
A.4.4 Why are Commercial Payloads Getting Bigger? -- US government satellites aregetting smaller for several reasons: 1) funding limitations, 2) technological progress inminiaturization and 3) reduced heavy-lift launch costs. In contrast, commercialcommunication satellites are enjoying similar technological progress, but are growinglarger in both volume and total launch mass. There is probably no single reason why thisis happening, but is probably due to a series of technical and financial factors that continueto favor larger commercial satellites over time. Moreover, commercial satellites operate ina burgeoning telecommunications environment that is not subject to fixed and decliningGovernment budgets, but to commercial opportunity. Some of the factors affectingcontinued or stabilization of commercial satellite mass growth are listed below:
• Factors Favoring Continued Mass Growth
• New heavy-lift launch vehicles are becoming commercially available
• Larger satellites are more cost effective on a dollars per transponder basis
• Commercial end user requirements are:
− Pushing satellites into the 10-20 kW range, thus increasing mass ofbatteries, power conditioners, and thermal radiators
− Increasing the size of deployable reflectors• Orbital congestion and frequency reuse are leading to heavier multiple spot
beam antennas or power hungry phased arrays
• Onboard processing and satellite cross links drive mass growth in somecases
• Higher frequency use such as Ka and V-band requires more power
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• Factors Favoring Mass Growth Stabilization
• Larger satellites cost more and expose operators, insurers and financiers tomore risk
• Satellite manufacturers compete to provide the lowest cost solution to theircustomer’s requirements, often at lowest possible satellite mass
• Electric propulsion for orbit raising could reduce launch mass significantly
• Availability of dual launch capability may create a launch price advantagefor mid-range satellite
A.4.5 Methodology and Calculations:
A.4.5.1 Basis of Figure 3.1 -- The forecasts for each payload market segment (MLV,ILV and HLV) shown in Figure 3.1 are based on the average of the five (5)comprehensive forecasts supplied for each segment. This results in three separate payloadmass distribution forecasts for each payload mass category. The three separate forecastsare then added together to form the comprehensive payload mass distribution model.
For example, in 2002, estimates of the number of MLV payloads to be launched in thatyear are calculated accordingly: (3+3+2+2+1)/5=2. The ILV and HLV forecasts arecalculated in the same way for each year and then all three forecasts are added together tocomplete the total mission model.
A.4.5.2 Basis of Figure 3.2 -- The forecasts involving average mass distribution as apercent of total market are based on a year-by-year percentage of each member’srespective mission model for each market segment. The resulting estimates are thenaveraged together and plotted as a percentage of the total market.
For example, in 2002, working group member A predicts there will be 3 medium, 20intermediate, and 12 heavy payloads launched that year for a total of 35 payloads. Theserespectively represent 9%, 57% and 34% of member A’s total market forecast for thatyear. This process is repeated for members B through E across the forecast period. Theresults are then added together and divided by 5 to form the working group’s average.
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A.5 INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
As part of COMSTAC’s expanded efforts to include as many industry participants aspossible in developing the mission model, the Working Group received complete andpartial mission model forecasts from various foreign organizations. One comprehensiveforecast (1998 – 2010) from a foreign launch provider was received, and 8 partialforecasts were received from various satellite operators. These inputs were used tovalidate the domestic industry comprehensive inputs, but could not be published becauseof confidentiality constraints.
A.6 DERIVATION OF LAUNCH DEMAND
A.6.1 Purpose -- Since inception, the COMSTAC mission model has provided launchdemand forecasts in terms of the number of payloads to be launched. In the fall of 1997,an approach was developed by the Working Group to estimate the demand for vehiclelaunches from the payload launch forecasts by consideration of dual manifesting of aportion of the payload mission model. This section summarizes the methodology,assumptions, and results of describing the same demand forecast in terms of actual orprojected launches through the 1988-2010 time frame. The data for 1988-1997 are basedon actual dual-manifest historic information. Projections from 1998-2010 are based onassumed dual-manifest factors.
A.6.2 Methodology and Assumptions
Historical -- The actual number of commercial GTO launches recorded from 1988through 1997 is lower than the number of payloads launched due to dual manifesting onAriane 4 and Titan 3 rockets. This is reflected in Figure 4.0.
In cases where two internationally competed GTO payloads were carried on the samelaunch vehicle, one “payload equivalent” was subtracted from the payload count in themission model.
In cases where one commercial GTO payload was launched with another non-commercialor non-GTO payload, that commercial payload was counted as a single commerciallaunch.
Forecast – The highest publicly announced commercially available dual launch capabilityis approximately 8 flights per year, for a theoretical maximum of 16 commercial payloadsper year. This is scheduled to become fully available by the year 2000.
This 8 flight maximum is discounted to an average of 6 dual commercial flights per year,based on two factors. First, history has shown a steady rate of about 2 captive launchesco-manifested with a commercial payload per year. Second, trends in payload massgrowth may preclude the easy accommodation of 2 average sized commercial spacecrafton a single launcher.
A second dual launch capability is postulated to become commercially available beginningin 2003. The working group estimated that this would result in 4 more commercial
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launches per year. Factors governing the success of such an outcome include theperformance of the launch vehicle in question and the relative cost of a dual manifestlaunch compared to a single manifest launch.
The forecast launches are also shown in Figure 4.0.
A.6.3 Results
There were 115 internationally competed launches from 1988 through end-of-year 1996(Reference A5, Table D-1.0). This represents an average of 12.8 actual launches per year,or approximately 5.4 dual manifested commercial payloads per year. This translates to anet reduction of 24 payload equivalents, or about 2.7 launches per year (Reference A5,Table C-1, 1988-1996 Mission Model History).
These adjustments to the COMSTAC Mission Model derive almost entirely from theArianespace launch experience. From 1988-1996, Arianespace launched 44 dualcommercial payloads on 23 separate launches. Accordingly, 23 payload equivalents weresubtracted from the 1988-1996 historical plot in Figure 4. Arianespace also conducted 17“hybrid” launches of one commercial GTO payload and another non-commercial or non-GTO payload. Those launches were counted as 14 “single” commercial launches and notsubtracted from the mission model.
The Titan 3 launched two commercial payloads on one launch during this period, resultingin one additional payload equivalent being subtracted from the historical plot.
Adjustments to the 1998-2010 COMSTAC Mission Model forecast stem from an increasein the possible number of dual commercial launches. This increase derives from thephased introduction of the Ariane 5 launch vehicle through 2000 and the possible gradualintroduction of a multiple launch capability on the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehiclebeginning in the year 2003. Taken together, the introduction of such dual manifestingcapabilities may represent a potential of about 20 co-manifested commercial payloads, orabout 10 dual commercial launches per year.
A.7 REFERENCES
A1. COMSTAC Report, “Commercial Space Launch Systems Requirements - 28 April1993,” Office of Commercial Space Transportation, US Department ofTransportation, Washington, D.C.
A2. COMSTAC Report, “Commercial Spacecraft Mission Model Update – February1994”, Office of Commercial Space Transportation, US Department ofTransportation, Washington, D.C.
A3. COMSTAC Report, “Commercial Spacecraft Mission Model Update - 18 May1995,” Office of Commercial Space Transportation, US Department ofTransportation, Washington, D.C.
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A4. COMSTAC Report, “Commercial Spacecraft Mission Model Update - 22 July1996,” Office of Commercial Space Transportation, US Department ofTransportation/Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, D.C.
A5. COMSTAC Report, “Commercial Spacecraft Mission Model Update – May 1997,”US Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration, Washington,D.C.
A6. COMSTAC Report, “Commercial Space Launch System Requirements – 1996,”Office of Commercial Space Transportation, US Department of Transportation,Washington, D.C.
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Report of the
COMSTAC Technology & Innovation Working Group
COMMERCIAL SPACECRAFT MISSION MODEL UPDATE
May 1998
APPENDIX B1998 - 2000 NEAR-TERM MISSION MODEL
Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC)Office Of Commercial Space Transportation
Federal Aviation AdministrationU. S. Department of Transportation
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B. 1998-2000 NEAR TERM MISSION MODEL
Near-Term Payload Launch Demand Forecast 1998 through 2000. A summary of thenear-term 1998-2000 mission model individually identified by name is presented inAppendix B. The mission model is divided into addressable commercial GTO spacecraftand non-commercial spacecraft that will potentially utilize the same commercial launchsystems and launch sites. The non-commercial spacecraft forecast includes payloadscaptive to specific launch systems. US spacecraft manufacturers have recently started toenter this market, and there is speculation that the launch service segment of this marketmay eventually open to US competition as well, perhaps beyond 2000. In the periodthrough 1999, most launch procurement decisions have been made and the launch vehiclemanifests have been established. Over this time period, satellite lead times are striving for12-18 month delivery cycles, while launch vehicles deliveries remain closer to 24 months.Therefore, pressure continues for launch vehicle manufacturers to compress productionand/or cycle times.
Note, however, that even in this near-term period complete unanimity was not reacheddue to differences in opinions on outcomes of expected demand including effects ofdouble booking, program delays, etc. Therefore, the ground rules that were adopted toarrive at the forecast presented are stated below:
• Published manifests of the launch service providers were used unless a failureevent or other recognizable event has caused a delay.
• Where manifests do not exist, or where an event which caused a delay hasoccurred, the subgroup relied on the data source within the subgroup that mostlikely had the superior knowledge. For example, the Boeing representativecould modify the published manifest data for the Delta II, or a spacecraftmanufacturer with knowledge of launch dates on a non-US launch system couldprovide the most up-to-date information on that system.
• Where the spacecraft has been ordered, but the launch company has not beenselected, the date the operator contracted for satellite readiness was used.
• Plans of existing satellite service operators were used as available.
• Plans of new or potential operators (i.e., growth in demand) were subject to thejudgment of the individual subgroup members. It is this factor that led to thedispersions around the average forecast beginning in the year 2000.
Payload Mass Definitions. The payload mass class definitions were refined in 1997 toreflect new market entrants like Delta III and Atlas III. The new HLV mass class definespayloads heavier than 9,000 lb and applies to payloads to be launched in 1998 and beyond,consistent with the planned first launches of U.S. vehicles whose performance will greatlyexceed the previous 8,000 lb threshold. The definition has also been clarified to referspecifically to launch vehicle performance (vs. launch mass) greater than or equal to 9,000
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lb to a nominal geosynchronous transfer orbit of 200 nm x GEO at an inclination of 280
north.
In practice, this keeps the HLV mass category definition consistent with a performancegreater than that available from a U.S. launch site without degradation in required satellitelifetime. This definition is also consistent with the less than 8,000 lb performancehistorically available from U.S. launchers since 1988, as reflected in the historical tables inprevious COMSTAC commercial spacecraft mission models.
This Appendix contains the following tables:
Table B.1. 1998-2000 COMSTAC Commercial GTO Mission Model – This isthe consensus near-term mission model of the worldwide addressable commercialspacecraft launch demand GTO. The mission model is provided annually by specificlaunch system, if known. Actual data for 1997 is also included.
Table B.2. 1998-2000 Missions Not Included in COMSTAC Commercial GTOMission Model – Uses GTO Launch Sites – This is the near-term mission modelof the worldwide non-addressable launch demand that utilize the same launchsystems and launch sites used for addressable commercial GTO mission model ofTable B.1. Actual data for 1997 is included, as is a summary table of total traffic atGTO launch sites.
Table B.3. 1998-2000 Missions Not Included in COMSTAC Commercial GTOMission Model – Uses Non-GTO Launch Sites – This is the near-term missionmodel of the worldwide non-addressable launch demand that utilize the same launchsystems used for addressable commercial GTO mission model of Table B.1, but atlaunch sites not used for addressable commercial launches to GTO. Actual data for1997 is also included.
Table B.4. 1998-2000 Missions Not Included in COMSTAC Commercial GTOMission Model – Uses FOREIGN Non-GTO Launch Sites – This is the near-term mission model of the non-addressable launch demand that utilize foreign launchsystems from launch sites not used for addressable commercial launches to GTO.Actual data for 1997 is included.
Table B.1. 1998-2000 COMSTAC Commercial GTO Mission Model (May 1998)
1 Japan-Test Launch 1 Japan-Luna A 1 Japan-Domestic 1 Japan-Domestic
TOTAL LAUNCHES
Commercial GTO COMSTAC =
28 33 29 33 95 31.7
Non COMSTAC GTO Site =
15 20 25 23 68 22.7
United States Non GTO Ranges =
28 32 18 27 77 25.7
NON-United States Non GTO Ranges =
24 27 25 16 68 22.7
TOTAL = 95 112 97 99 308 102.7
6/11/98 - Revision 6
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Report of theCOMSTAC Technology & Innovation Working Group
COMMERCIAL SPACECRAFT MISSION MODEL UPDATE
May 1998
APPENDIX C1988 - 1997 MISSION MODEL - HISTORY
Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee (COMSTAC)Office Of Commercial Space Transportation
Federal Aviation AdministrationU. S. Department of Transportation
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C. 1988 –1997 MISSION MODEL HISTORY
This Appendix contains the following figure and tables:
Figure C.1. Summary of Total Launches – This figure plots the total number ofvehicle launches in the various spacecraft categories defined in Tables C.1 throughC.5 that were performed in the period 1988 through 1997.
Table C.1. 1998 Mission Model History – Commercial GTO Mission Model -This is the history of the worldwide addressable commercial spacecraft launchdemand to GTO during the period 1988 to 1997.
Table C.2. 1988-1997 Missions Not Included in the COMSTAC CommercialGTO Mission Model – Used GTO Launch Site - This is the history of theworldwide non-addressable spacecraft launch demand that utilized the same launchsystems and launch sites that are used for the addressable Commercial GTO MissionModel, Table C.1.
Table C.3. 1988-1997 Missions Not Included in the COMSTAC CommercialGTO Mission Model – Used United States Non-GTO Launch Sites – This is thehistory of the worldwide non-addressable spacecraft launch demand that utilizeddomestic launch sites not used for the addressable commercial launches to GTO inTable C.1
Table C.4. 1988-1997 Missions Not Included in the COMSTAC CommercialGTO Mission Model – Used Foreign Launch Sites – This is the history of theworldwide non-addressable spacecraft launch demand that utilized foreign launchsites not used for the addressable commercial launches to GTO in Table C.1.
Table C.5. 1988-1997 Spacecraft Summary (All Launch Sites) – This tablesummarizes the history of commercial and non-commercial spacecraft launches from1988 to 1997 as presented in Tables C.1 through C.4.
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Figure C.1. Summary of Total Launches (1988-1997)
Table C.1. 1998 Mission Model History - Commercial GTO Mission Model
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 TOTAL Average Rate