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=?UTF-8?Q?Rafael_Enters_the_=E2=80=9CNew_Space=E2=80=9D?=
Rafael Enters the “New Space”
Rafael decided to engage in the development of a final product in the form
of a constellation of small satellites used for photo-surveillance or
communication, and are even talking about applying a business model of space
services. Exclusive interview
Ami Rojkes Dombe | 19/11/2015
http://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/content/rafael-enters-%E2%80%9Cnew-space%E2%80%9D
Rafael enters the “New Space” with micro-satellites/nanosatellites intended
to provide solutions to various tasks, like a constellation of
micro-satellites for electro-optical earth surveillance (LifeSat) as well as
communication relaying (images, voice and data communication) using a
constellation of nanosatellites (NanREC).
Satellite Motor Plant
To this day, Rafael has been involved in space propulsion and provided
lateral solutions, from propulsion elements to the supply of complete
propulsion systems for prompt integration in satellites, including support
for satellite refueling at the launch site. Rafael’s space propulsion
activity is concentrated by the company’s Manor Division. As part of their
propulsion solutions, Rafael develops and supplies electrical propulsion
systems and components for use in space. Electrical propulsion is regarded
as a “green” space propulsion technology, as it uses Xenon gas – a noble,
non-toxic, non-polluting gas.
Rafael’s electrical propulsion systems are low and medium power units
designed for both maintaining and changing orbit in different satellite
types, including constellations of low-level communication satellites and
GPS satellites. Rafael’s space propulsion kits are already used on numerous
satellites in Israel and around the world, including the Ofek satellites and
international satellite projects worldwide, which include constellations of
communication and surveillance satellites such as the GlobalStar-2
constellation, the O3B constellation, Sentinel-1 satellites and others.
Another example of Rafael’s cooperative alliances is Project Venus – an
Israeli-French cooperative alliance that uses both a chemical propulsion
system (based on hydrazine) and an electrical propulsion system by Rafael.
In the context of another cooperation agreement between the Israel Space
Agency at the Ministry of Science, Technology & Space and the European Space
Agency (ESA), an agreement for the development of low power (100-250 watts)
electrical space propulsion systems was kicked off in 2014. Rafael and the
ALTA Company of Italy will develop those systems. Electrical propulsion
systems of this type are intended for integration in micro-satellites and
will be integrated as a separate satellite propulsion module designed to
operate at very low electrical power rates of 100 to 250 watts.
“During the 1980s, Rafael was encouraged to build a launching vehicle and a
propulsion system in order to support the space activity of IAI,” says Zvi
Z, marketing manager at the Space Administration of Rafael’s Manor Division.
“Most of our revenue in the international space market is generated by
propulsion systems. We sell complete modules or individual elements like
motors and fuel tanks. Propulsion is the primary element of the satellite,
and to this day our record has shown 100% reliability. There are more than
66 satellites out there in space that contain products by Rafael.
“An interesting fact: Israel does not belong to the European Space Agency,
so we are not entitled to participate in their tenders. Nevertheless, we
participate in those programs as Europe purchases hardware from Israel. Over
the last decade and a half we entered the field of electrical motors.
Electrical propulsion was originally invented by the Russians and applied in
missions involving deep space probes and keeping communication satellites in
orbit. The Amos-6 satellite will have the same system.
“Rafael is a pioneer in the field of low-power electrical propulsion. The
Venus satellite will use electrical propulsion by Rafael. The entire system.
It will be the first demonstrator of this system in space. It will be a
motor in the range of 100-250 watts. In comparison, communication satellites
have a 1.5 kilowatt motor. This system is intended for satellites weighing
150 kg to 1 ton.
“Electrical propulsion provides an advantage to a small surveillance
satellite because of another aspect – resolution. With a micro-satellite,
resolution can be improved if you descend to a low level, and at these
levels there are small molecules of air that create drag. As electrical
propulsion is 5-6 times more effective than chemical propulsion, it can
maintain the satellite at the appropriate altitude for a longer period of
time. Chemical propulsion cannot be used on small satellites owing to the
weight of the fuel. For every 10 kg of electrical propulsion you will need
60 kg of chemical propulsion.
“With electrical propulsion I take one sixth with me, and receive the rest
of the energy from the sun. For 200 watts of power, you need one square
meter of solar panels, or even less. As the world is heading toward
constellations of hundreds or thousands of small satellites, the future is
in electrical propulsion. We are in contact with One Space, Google and other
companies in this field.”
The new system developed by Rafael and ALTA of Italy will weigh about 15 kg
only, and it will be highly fuel-efficient. Its light weight will enable
satellites to carry larger payloads than those used to this day and extend
the satellites’ life expectancy in earth orbiting missions.
Space Services
“Seven years ago we decided to become involved in the development of
complete satellites in the mini, micro or nanosatellite categories,” says
Jacob S, marketing manager at Rafael’s Air & Intelligence Division. “These
satellites weigh 10-15 kg or 100-120 kg. The objective is to manufacture a
constellation that will circle the earth every hour. We developed two
applications. One – a 100 kg micro-satellite for earth surveillance with a
resolution of 50 cm, in color, which includes electrical propulsion. This
satellite will operate for 7 years at a level of 300 km.
“The other application is a 10-15 kg nanosatellite. Owing to the
technological development of lightweight, wide bandwidth radio transceivers,
it is now possible, using a constellation of 12-24 satellites, to provide
communication relaying almost anywhere around the world using ad-hoc systems
for tactical units. We are talking about a delay of 20 milliseconds. The
rate depends on the terminal. When the terminal is mounted on a vehicle with
an adjustable antenna that follows the beam, you can reach rates of up to 8
Mbit/sec. At these rates you can transmit several live video channels and
operational quality still images, including voice and data. The solution
provides communication relaying for an area with a radius of 300-400 km,
between all of the elements involved, including communication with a command
post located 1,000 km away from the forces on the ground.”
Along with the development of satellites, Rafael also develops missiles, so,
in theory, it can provide both the satellite and the launch. However, the
people at Rafael say that this option is not on the agenda at the moment.
Additionally, Rafael has not launched such a constellation into space yet.
“We are considering the possibility of launching a demonstration
constellation,” says S. “Regarding the launch, we are not currently entering
the development of ground launching capabilities. These systems are designed
to be launched from an extensive range of launching platforms, including the
IAI Shavit launcher. One of the advantages of nanosatellites is that you
launch all of them from the same launching vehicle, into the same orbit.
Otherwise, the satellite would have lost fuel when switching between
different orbits. As far as the launch is concerned, there are broker
companies that specialize in launch coordination.
“Our solution is intended for intelligence and military purposes primarily.
We focus on selling such constellations to countries that aspire for
independence in space. A constellation of 12 satellites can photograph a
given point at one-hour intervals. This is intermittent, rather than
continuous tracking. In the future, we will not deny ourselves the option of
entering the field of services as well.”
Source: http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=69037
