| ASSI Newsletter | Number 8, Volume II, November 2000 |
INTRODUCTION
Indonesia’s desire for owning and operating satellite as one of the high technology products has been realizing since the launch and the operation of Palapa A Satellite in 1976. Efforts in utilizing this high technology is still continuing until now, as we know besides Palapa SKSD system (Domestic Satellite Communication System), Indonesia has also utilized various satellite systems, such as news broadcasting and Garuda Satellite for mobile communication. Besides, since the decade of 70s Indonesia has used other satellite services for remote sensing, navigation, weather forecasting, and so forth.
Related to this and in the attempt of nation autonomy in the field of space technology, the national leaders have also obsessed that someday Indonesia will be capable of launching and operating its own satellite in this country. Indeed, this attempt requires satisfied infrastructures in space field, one of them is spaceport, built and operated in Indonesia.
The development and operation of spaceport needs tight conditions and requirements. If some aspects are being considered like geographical aspect of Indonesia’s position around the equator and has much sea, it is potentially built and operated a spaceport in Indonesia that can be used as satellite launch site, either for geostationary orbit satellites or other orbit ones.
The effort of realizing this obsession has been carried out since years and still continue up to now. It is noted since the early decade of 80s, many attempts for building and operating a spaceport in Indonesia have been made, in partnership with other countries have had and mastered the technology such as U.S, RRC, Soviet Union/Ukraina, and France. Yet, these efforts meet some obstacles, the latest ones are economic and monetary crisis in Asia Pacific including Indonesia, disruption of political stability and lack of mastery of technology.
DEVELOPMENT AND FACILITIES AVAILABILITY OF LAUNCH ACTIVITIES
In order to observe the prospect of building and operating a spaceport in Indonesia, of course it should be considered the potential market of satellite launch expected using the Indonesian spaceport and also the state of already operated launch vehicles or spaceports. In recent years, the characteristic of launch service activities has been changed significantly. In the early moment of launching service, its main customer is the government, but now it is drastically reduced and shifts to national and international companies. Furthermore, the trend of launch tends to use double payload launch. This kind of launch gives economical benefits since more payload can be conveyed in a one launch vehicle so that the launch cost for each payload would be cheaper. The growing of launch market is not only for low orbit satellites (LEO) but also for geo-stationary orbit ones (GSO). Description of this change can be seen in the report of U.S Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), that is the number of commercial launchs (worldwide) have been increased almost three times, from 14 % in 1994 to 36 % in 1998, or from 15 % becomes 44 % of whole launch activities.
In 1998, 167 spacecrafts have been launched through 82 launches (not included the launches carried out by government for special interests like scientific and exprimental one, space station, etc). Of these 82 launches, 36 launches are commercial ones (44 %) delivering 104 satellites. From these 104 satellites, 82 among them are delivered to LEO (78 satellites are property of Iridium, Globalstar, and Orbcomm) and their launch are dominated by U.S with 17 launches. Europe countries have done 9 launches, Russia 5 launches, Ukraina 1 launch, and China 4 launches.
Based on study carried out in U.S, it is predicted that the annual average demands for satellite launches to their orbits for 1999-2000 period are 25 launches for GSO, 15 launches for LEO/MEO/Elliptic, and 11 launches for LEO. One of private company in U.S also predicted that the number of satellites to be launched in the period of 1999 – 2008 (10 years) are 1,017 for commercial communication satellites (U.S $ 49.8 billion), 40 – 50 for remote sensing satellites (U.S $ 3.5 billion), and 305 for military satellites (U.S $ 35.1 billion). From these 105 military satellites, 15 ones would be launched annually by Russia, 10-11 ones by U.S, and the rest by Europe countries, China, and other countries.
From the data above, it seems clear that commercial communication satellite launches would take greater part and they are certainly dominated by regional and international communication systems. These satellite systems would provide numerous communication services including mobile communication, data, internet, navigation, etc., which globally this telecommunication market is estimated having value of U.S $ 600 billion.
As have been stated previously that the trend of future launches are
double payload for reasons not only it would reduce the launch cost, but
also the launch service customers wish the satellites could complete their
systems as quick as possible and ready to operate. As an example in Iridium
system (Motorola), from 84 satellites have been launched in the latest
two years using11 delta-II rockets (7920), 4 Long March rockets (CZ-2C/SD),
and 3 proton rockets (KS), the average payload is 4-5 satellites per launch.
(But lately, it was announced that Iridium global mobile communication
system was annulled and the satellites have been launched would be destroyed
in the outer space). While Loral, for completing Globalstar system, it
used Delta – II (7420) rockets and Soyuz at once to deliver the satellites
to their orbit. Loral also expected using 3 Zenit 2 rockets (Ukraina) to
launch 36 Globalstar satellites in 6 months period.
As growing demands in launch services, the progress in launch vehicle system has also increased. Nowadays, numerous countries having high technologies compete in developing launch vehicle system which is capable of locating various payload on its orbit, either for Geostasionary orbit(GSO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), or Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Besides the existing launch vehicles, the reusable type like space shuttle and the rocket expandable type that would be launched, there are also many new launch vehicles which are under construction and planned to be launched such as Beal Aerospace’s BA-2, Coleman Research’s K-1, and Universal Space Lines Intropid-1. Whereas the under development launch vehicles are Ariane 5 (Arianespace), Delta-III & IV (Boeing), Zenit-3SL (Launch Space), and Atlas-III (Lockheed Martin’s). Furthermore, some countries, either individually or by making coorperation with other countries have developed their launch vehicle system, for example India (ISRO) with its development program of PSLV, GSLV MK II dan GSLV MK III. Federation of Russia with its “Angara” program which is a combination of Rockot, Soyuz Firing, and Proton, and also its reusable booster program “Baykal”. U.S has been also developing its commercial launch vehicles besides the already operated ones, like Pegassus, Lockheed Martin Venture Star, Astoline, Pathfinder, Roton C-9 and Space Access LLC.
The under development launch vehicles have been stated above are heavy lift type, commonly used for delivering GSO satellites, and light lift type for lower orbit. Development programs for heavy lift launch vehicles do not extend vehicles capacity to launch both GSO and LEO satellites at once, hence new generation communication satellite system would use light and medium lift launch vehicles more which ordinarily deliver satellites to LEO orbit. From the information above, it is clear that launch vehicle development programs are greatly focused in LEO-launch markets, therefore strong competition will occur among already existing launch vehicles.
Satellite launch activities and other activities utilizing launch vehicle will not work unless they are supported by the existence of spaceport equipped with satisfied launching pads. In what follow, it will be described briefly some of spaceports already operated commercially today and that are being built or planned to be built ones, based on the country of the spaceport location.
a. Woomera Rocket Range – Australia
Woomera Rocket Range located at 310 S and 1370E. The cornerstone was made by Kistler Aerospace, in July 1998. Woomera is a space port that will put the highest technology, will provide operational pad for the world first fully reusable launch vehicle, i.e Kistler K-1 (5), penalty velocity 27.1 %, and is capable of launching sounding rockets and satellites to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Polar Orbit (PO)
b. Cape York – Australia
Cape York lies at 130 S and 1420 E, penalty velocity 5.3%, being built in coorporation with Russia, will be capable of lauching to LEO, PO, Geosynchronous Orbit (GO) and Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
c. Barreira do Inferno Launch Center (CLBI) – Brazil
Barreira do Inferno Launch Center (CLBI), has been operated since 1965, located at 5o 55' S and 35010' W, in the north east side of Brasil coast, facing the Atlantic Ocean, having area of18 km2 and penalty velocity 5.1 %. All of CLBI facilities are intended to support launch operation of small and medium sounding vehicles.
CLBI also operates tracking station for satellites and vehicles like Ariane, launched from Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG), and sounding rockets launched from CLA (Alcantara Launch Centre). Up to now CLBI has launched more than 2000 vehicles while carrying scientific payloads from other countries.
d. Alcantara Launch Centre (CLA) – Brazil
Construction of Alcantara began in 1986 and spent 300 million dollar
for building its facilities. Having operated since 1989, it has succefully
launched 264 vehicles, including VLS (Veiculo Lancador de Satellites),
for the property of Brasil, and more than 200 sounding rockets.
It is located at 2o18' South and 44o 22' W, in the northeast side of
Brasil coast, and faces the Atlantic Ocean. Such location will give benefit
25 % more than Cape Canaveral from earth rotation. At this time, its capacity
has been improved, in partnership with RRC, for being capable of launching
satellites to LEO, and commercial launches are going to be performed soon.
e. Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre – RRC
Jiuguan Satellite Launch Centre was built in the early 1960 at Gobi desert, lies at 41o North and 100o West, 1600 km from Beijing, in the north of Jiuquan town. It is the first Cina’s launch site and it is restricted to do launch satellites to orbit 57 – 70o to prevent flight in Russian and Mongolia’s areas. Sounding rockets also use this place with penalty velocity 44.1% and operationally be capable of launching satellites to LEO.
f. Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre – RRC
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre has been operated on September 1988 for launching CZ-4 to polar orbit with the mission of remote sensing, meteorology, and spy activities. Taiyuan has only one launch pad. Initially, the pad was operated for missile testing as an extension of Jiuquan for bigger vehicles, like DF-5 and CZ-2C that delivered Iridium satellites. Located at 29o N and 102o E, with penalty velocity 24 %. It has been operating and capable of launching satellites to LEO and SO.
g. Xichang Satellite Launch Centre – RRC
Xichang Satellite Launch Centre lies at 280 N and 1020 E with penalty velocity 24%. It has been operating and capable of launching satellites to GTO. Xichang has been chosen among 16 cites for more beneficial mission than Jiuquan to GEO. Its construction works started in 1978, at 65 km in the north of Xichang town and it has succesfully made the first launch in 1984. Xinchang has two separate launch pads, the first is CZ-3 launch pad that able to support 5 missions each year and the second for vehicle CZ-2E/3A/3B with additional boosters.
h. Culana Space Centre – France
Culana Space Centre, located near equator at 50 N and 530 W, a very strategic location with facilities giving optimal condition for commercial launches. Its penalty velocity is 0.9 % and capable of launching to GSO.
i. Shar Centre – India
Shar Centre, covering Sriharikota island on east coast of Andhara Pradesh
India, is the launch pad of ISRO that also provides launching facilities
for all kind of Rohini sounding rockets. It was the launch site of PSLV
used in 1990. At the moment, modifications have being made to make it capable
of handling GSLV. Being located at 140 N and 800 E, penalty 5.8%, has already
operated with capability of launching satellites to LEO and PO, and also
being upgraded for launching satellites to GEO
j. Kagoshima Space Centre – Japan
Kagoshima Space Centre is located at 310 N and 1310 E, penalty velocity
28.6 %, has been operated and capable of launching sounding rockets and
satellites to LEO. The first six satellites of Japan had been launched
from the upland facing the Pacific Ocean in Uchinoura on the southmost
Kyusu island. In the late 1995, it has succesfully made 21 launches. Construction
of sounding rocket launch location began in February 1962 with extension
for scientific satellite launches by M rockets in 1996.
k. Tanegashima Space Centre – Japan
Tanegashima Space Centre is located at 30o N and 1310 E, penalty velocity 27,1%, has been operated and capable of launching satellites to LEO, SO, PO and GTO.
l. NASDA (National Space Development Agency) – Japan
NASDA (National Space Development Agency) – Japan has made an agreement with Rep. of Kiribati to build Japan’s space port on Christmast Island. Kiribati is a country with 33 coral islands, located near equator at middle Pacific.
Initially, this space port was designed as a landing site of Japan Space
Shuttle (HOPE-X) which is currently under development, and uncrewed space
shuttle (HOPE), but afterwards it was also designed to launch space shuttle
type and rockets. This space port will be constructed on undwelled cape
with area of 200 km2 where at this location there has been airplane taxi
way as long as 2000m built by England in 1950 period for testing nuclear
content flights.
m. Baikonour Satellite Launch Centre (Baikonour Cosmodrom) – Khazakhstan
Baikonour Satellite Launch Centre (Baikonour Cosmodrom), also known as Tyuratam, is the oldest launch site in the world, located at 45.6oN and 63.4oE. Untill the end of 1994 it has made more than 100 launches. Baikonour also supports various kinds of CIS (Commonwealth of Independence States) launch vehicles, i.e. Proton – K, Rockot, Soyuz-U, Molniya-M, Syklon-2, dan Zenit. It has 9 launching site groups with 15 pads to accommodate space activities and missile launches. Its launch activities are intended to crewed mission, with destination to the moon, planets, and navigation with various heights, from the highest one to LEO.
n. Suparco Flight Test Range – Pakistan
Suparco Flight Test Range lies at 250 N and 670 E, penalty velocity 17%, has been operated and capable of launching sounding rockets.
o. Plesetsk Cosmodrome – Russia
Plesetsk lies at 62.8o N and 40.1o E, has area of 1762 km2, penalty
velocity 70%, capable of launching satellites to polar and elliptical orbit.
Untill the end of 1995, it has made more than 1,450 launches. Space missions
are restricted to orbits with inclination 63o – 83o. At this moment Plesetsk
supports 4 types of launch vehicles, i.e. Cosmos-3M, Soyuz/Molniya,
Tskylon-3 and Start, with 9 operational pads, 3 of them for Cosmos,
4 for Soyuz/Molniya and 2 for Tsyklon.
p. USA
As Far, U.S is the country having and operating the most spaceports.
It is noted 4 spaceports have been operated and 3 under development ones:
1.Kennedy Space Centre, located at 280 N and 810 W, penalty velocity 24%, has been operated, able to launch satellites to LEO, GEO, PO and GTO.
2.Vandenberg Air Force Base, located at 350 N and 121o W, penalty velocity 35.3%, has been operated, able to launch satellites to LEO.
3.Wallops Flight Facility, lies at 400 N and 760 W, penalty velocity 40.4%, has been operated, able to launch satellites to LEO.
4.Cape Canaveral Spaceport (CCS) is the new name for the collaboration of USAF, NASA, and SFA. USAF and NASA support contracts for industrial needs, make coordination in design with Florida space port experts for maximum efficiency, and make coorperation in developing new infrastructures and capabilities.
5. Sea Launch, established on April 1995, has been operated for serving the growing market of satellite launchings that more reliable, capable, and suitable for the commercial ones. Sea-based operation and high automation systems, combines with general launching site, makes it capable of bringing vehicles having mass of 5000 kg to GTO. By Sea Launch, launches can be done from the most advantageous location on the sea.
6. Idaho. To fulfill the growing demands in locating satellites on LEO, new spaceport, Idaho, has been designed. Idaho will occupy INEEL’s location (Idaho National Engineering and Environmental), 44 miles in square, borders on TAN (Test Area North). Formerly, Idaho offered facilities for conventional rocket launches, delivered satellites to LEO at north-south orientation. Yet, by the re-launches of spacecrafts like Ventura Stars, Idaho was extended in order to accommodate those vehicles well
7. California Commercial Space Launch Facility, is new launching complex built in the south of Vandenberg Air Force Base – California. With extent of 135 acres, California Commercial Space Launch Facility will be equipped with 3 launching pads that will launch solid booster launch vehicles like Taurus and LLV and also the composite ones like Aquila.
From the illustration about launches prospect in the future and the number and available launch locations, also under construction ones, it can be concluded that the coming launches prospect become promising business in space field. With the availability of lauch facilities, both already operated and under development ones, yet the launch demands are estimated can be fulfilled. But like other business, competitiveness factors should be taken into account. One of the most competitive factors is the launch cost that should be diminished as low as possible for example by taking the benefit of spaceport location along the equator. As known, the existing spaceports located around the equator are still limited, that is Guiana SC – France, Alcantara LC – Brazil dan Sea Launch, also on Christmas island – Rep. Kiribati which is still under development.
For knowing further about the possibility of building a commercial spaceport in Indonesia, indeed it should be considered some of requirements needed for a spaceport and these would be presented in part II of this paper.