Concept Of Operations

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

Microlaunchers LLC
ML-1 Conops
Concept of Operations



Contents
CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 5
PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................................... 5
CORPORATE OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................ 5
CHAPTER 2 – ML-1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 6
Vehicle Performance ................................................................................................................................. 6
Vehicle Detailed Description ..................................................................................................................... 6
Stage 1................................................................................................................................................... 6
Stage 2................................................................................................................................................... 7
Stage 3................................................................................................................................................... 7
Safety System ........................................................................................................................................ 8
Chapter 3 – Example Launch Operations ...................................................................................................... 9
Preliminary Operations ............................................................................................................................. 9
Planning................................................................................................................................................. 9
Payload Preparation.............................................................................................................................. 9
Launch Day Operations ............................................................................................................................. 9
Transportation ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Unloading .............................................................................................................................................. 9
Preparation and Propellant Loading ................................................................................................... 10
Mission Control and Monitoring ......................................................................................................... 10
Flight.................................................................................................................................................... 11
Chapter 4 – Support Equipment ................................................................................................................. 12
Launch Stand ........................................................................................................................................... 12
Access Towers ......................................................................................................................................... 12
Cranes or Winches .................................................................................................................................. 13
LOX Storage and Transportation............................................................................................................. 13
Propane and Butane Storage .................................................................................................................. 14
Safety Equipment .................................................................................................................................... 14
Fire Fighting Equipment ...................................................................................................................... 14
Medical Equipment ............................................................................................................................. 14
Communications Equipment............................................................................................................... 15
Shelter ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
Transportation ........................................................................................................................................ 15


Stage Carriers .......................................................................................................................................... 15
Power Generation ................................................................................................................................... 16
Lights ....................................................................................................................................................... 16
Appendix A – Vehicle Statistics ................................................................................................................... 17



CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to provide a basic concept of operations for Microlaunchers LLC ML-1
Launch Vehicle.

CORPORATE OVERVIEW
Microlaunchers LLC promises to change the way that space access is performed. With its unique
approach to launching small payloads into space, it promises to make space more accessible to many
more people by lowering costs and increasing launch frequency while giving payload operators greater
flexibility in where they go into space.
Key to this approach is a “start small” attitude that emphasizes starting with small launchers and small
spacecraft. The idea is that by starting small, there are increased opportunities for many disparate
groups to develop and acquire launch vehicle technology that can make space accessible and available.
Microlaunchers LLC provides products and services in support of this effort. Microlaunchers LLC’s role in
making this happen is to lead in the development of key technologies, make launch vehicle and
spacecraft components and systems commercially available and provide launch services with the
systems it has developed.



CHAPTER 2 – ML-1 Introduction
The Microlaunchers LLC ML-1 Launch Vehicle is a 3 stage launch vehicle designed to put a 200 gram
payload on an escape trajectory. Considering this amazing capability, it is relatively diminutive in size,
having a diameter of only 10 inches and an overall height of 24 feet. Manufactured by Microlaunchers
LLC, it is considered to be the flagship product in our small payload launch services.

Because it is relatively small, it can be launched from land or sea in a short period of time. It is small
enough to be transported to the site using a standard flat bed or box truck. Because the empty vehicle is
completely inert and uses no pyrotechnics, it can safely and legally be transported to its launch site
where it can be fueled and prepared for launch.

Vehicle Performance
The ML-1, with its three stages can lift a payload of up to 200
grams to an escape trajectory. This means that it has the ability
to send these payloads towards the moon or into orbit around
the sun. One benefit of this approach is that these small
payloads do not add to orbital debris problems because the
payload has gone beyond Earth orbit. Alternatively, as some
customers may desire, it is possible to put payloads of about 4.5
lbs into Low Earth Orbit. This vehicle can also launch much
larger payloads on suborbital sounding rocket trajectories.
The escape payload of 200 grams may seem small, but it is
possible to do meaningful science missions with this payload.
Swarms of these small payloads can provide monitoring of
scientifically significant parameters around the solar system.

Vehicle Detailed Description
Stage 1
The first stage of Microlaunchers LLC’s ML-1 vehicle is ten
inches in diameter and 12 feet 7 inches high. At its highest end,
it accepts the upper stage aerodynamic fairing which gives the
vehicle its full height of 24 feet. It uses liquid oxygen as the


oxidizer and liquefied propane as the fuel. These propellants are relatively green in that they leave no
toxic residues at the launch site. Fully loaded, the stage weighs about 330 lbs and weighs only 76 lbs
empty.
With the specified 200 gram payload, the first stage can lift the upper stage vehicles to an altitude above
40 miles. Because of the vertical flight trajectory, it is expected that this stage will return to within a few
miles of the launch site, thus avoiding overflights of populated areas.

Stage 2
Stage 2 is an advanced electroformed rocket vehicle utilizing liquid oxygen and butane as propellants. As
in stage 1, these are relatively “green” propellants which leave no hazardous residues behind but which
are powerfully energetic propellants.
By utilizing advanced construction techniques for the
tanks and engine, this stage is amazingly light for its size
and capability, weighing only about 5 lbs empty and 44 lbs
full. Thus, it can accelerate a 28 lb payload (the third stage
with its payload) to 8000 feet per second.
The rocket engine is a 50 lb-f thrust engine running at a
low chamber pressure of about 30 PSI and with a 40:1
expansion ratio. It is regeneratively cooled with a minimal
of film cooling. It can be expected to provide an efficiency
of 320 seconds Isp and to burn for about 245 seconds.
The ignition system for this stage and for the third stage
are carried on this vehicle.
Since it operates entirely in the near vacuum above 40
miles altitude, it needs minimal aerodynamic shielding.

Stage 3
Stage 3 is very similar to stage 2 but is a bit smaller. It uses the same liquid oxygen and butane
propellants with their associated benefits. It is also very light, weighing 1.4 lbs empty and 28 lbs full.
Its rocket motor also operates at low chamber pressure of about 30 PSI. Because it is expected to
operate entirely in a vacuum it can work well with a nozzle expansion ratio of 55:1. It is expected to
operate with a high Isp efficiency of about 320 seconds for a duration of about 300 seconds. The engine
produces about 27 lb-f of thrust and is regeneratively cooled with a minimum of film cooling. Small
paddles in the exhaust stream provide the roll, pitch and yaw control.


Because of its light weight and high performance, this stage
can accelerate a payload of 200 grams to over 28000 feet
per second, placing this payload on an escape trajectory.
The image to the left shows stage 3 with a payload.

Safety System
In order to assure safe operation of all stages, the
Microlaunchers ML-1 uses a unique guidance system which
also facilitates safety. With the first stage flying a vertical
trajectory, it will be in view of the launch site throughout its
entire flight. A command-to-line-of-site guidance system
uses commands and signals from the ground during safe
operation. If an emergency condition arises, the ground
transmitted signals will terminate and the stages initiate a
flight termination mode where thrust is terminated,
propellants are vented and upper stages are jettisoned
(with each stage following the same sequence). This assures
that only light, empty stages fall to the ground. This
approach presents minimal risk to the non-involved public.



Chapter 3 – Example Launch Operations
Preliminary Operations
Operations start with the preliminary activities of obtaining launch licenses and insurance and the
reception of orders from customers.

Planning
Once licenses, insurance and orders are in place, planning of a launch campaign ensues. Logistic
planning, transportation planning, site selection, orbital mechanics planning, ordering of propellants for
delivery and several other preliminary planning activities are performed.

Payload Preparation
Once the customer delivers the payload, payload preparation can begin. This would entail mounting the
payload on payload carriers, maintaining environmental conditions necessary for storage, storing the
payloads leading up to the launch campaign, and then the final preparation of the payload for launch.

Launch Day Operations
Once the planning and preparation activities are completed, a launch operation is initiated.

Transportation
On launch day of the launch campaign, empty launch vehicles are prepared for their launches and
loaded onto carrier vehicles. Payloads, in their storage and protective containers are also loaded for
transportation.

Unloading
The rocket stages, payloads and launch infrastructure are driven to the launch site, unloaded and made
ready for launch.



Preparation and Propellant Loading
The rockets are prepped in a horizontal position. This allows full checkout of the vehicle and integrated
payload.

With payloads loaded, all stages integrated and mated to their lower stages, and all initial system checks
completed, the vehicle is then raised for launch.

Once automated on-the-pad system checks are completed, the vehicle is loaded with propellants.
Propellant conditioning equipment is brought near the rocket with the liquid propellants and the
conditioning equipment begins pumping and conditioning the propellants. This is necessary because
most stages require fairly precise propellant temperature control for proper operation.

Mission Control and Monitoring
As the vehicle becomes ready, authority is transferred to the Mission Control and Monitoring station.
This station consists of equipment necessary to provide mission control information to the rocket before
and after launch and to monitor flight progress throughout the flight.
Because of the near-vertical flight of the first stage, tracking cameras are used to triangulate the
vehicle’s position and ascertain that it is operating within acceptable flight parameters. In order to not
perform a flight abort, the vehicle must receive a radio signal from the Mission Control system. This
provides an automatic fail-safe abort method should any emergencies arise. Telemetry is also received
by radio from the vehicle to provide additional status monitoring.



Flight
The first stage vehicle travels a nearly-vertical flight path to upwards of 80 miles. At about 20 miles
altitude, the first stage main engine is shut down and vernier rockets maintain propellant settling thrust.
This propellant settling thrust is continued to about 40 miles altitude. Just prior to shutting off the
vernier engines, the upper stages are ejected.
The upper stages continue accelerating the payload on the specified trajectory. Operating in mostly the
near-vacuum of space, these upper stages have a high thrust efficiency.
Eventually, the desired trajectory and velocity are attained and the payload is released to continue on its
chosen path.



Chapter 4 – Support Equipment
An array of equipment is needed to support a launch operation. A launch site is a remote location which
likely does not have power, water and other facilities. Therefore, it is necessary to bring adequate
support equipment to that site. This section will detail some of that equipment.

Launch Stand
Microlaunchers are stabilized rockets with full pitch, roll and yaw control authority once the first stage
motors are ignited. Therefore, a launch rail is not required to guide them as they ascend. However, it is
useful to have a blast deflector and propellant feed capability at the launch location. Therefore, a
purpose-built launch pad with a propellant feed boom is highly desirable.

The launch pad will facilitate preparation for launch, guide feed cables and hoses to the vehicle and
ensure that the vehicle is not toppled by strong winds.

Access Towers
Although explicit launch towers are not required, some means to comfortably access
upper stages of these vehicles for the purposes of assembly and testing will be required.
These towers may be similar to those used by painters.



Cranes or Winches
Although a full crane may not be required, some kind of winching system allowing the raising of system
components to their necessary heights is required. This may be a hand- or motor-operated winching
system which attaches to the access towers or it could be a rentable hydraulic platform such as a scissor
lift.

LOX Storage and Transportation
Each Microlauncher ML-1 vehicle uses about 220 lbs of liquid oxygen plus additional liquid oxygen for
propellant conditioning. This liquid oxygen will likely be delivered in cryogenic dewars of the type shown
here.



If more than one vehicle is launched per day, as is planned, several times more liquid oxygen will be
required. Therefore, there will likely be a need to maintain a few dewars of liquid oxygen on site for a
launch campaign.

Propane and Butane Storage
Each ML-1 vehicle requires approximately 80 lbs of propane and about 20 lbs of butane. Since neither
propane nor butane need to be maintained at cryogenic temperatures, they will likely be stored in
portable pressurized tanks.

Safety Equipment
Since a launch site may be remote without emergency services immediately available, it will be
necessary to transport some safety equipment to the launch site for each launch campaign.

Fire Fighting Equipment
Since the launch system utilizes highly flammable and fire-inducing gases, there is a potential for fires to
occur under certain situations. Therefore, suitable firefighting equipment will be necessary. The primary
threat will be from liquid oxygen and liquefied propane. Together, these constitute an extreme fire
hazard. However, it is likely that these will be present together only during the last minutes of the
preparation for launch and during launch.
However, sufficient firefighting equipment able to deal with on-site fire problems must exist. Sufficient
equipment to extinguish any fires created in the area surrounding a launch site such as grass fires, brush
fires, and possibly tree or structure fires must be available.

Medical Equipment
The launch sites will likely be remote: either on a barge at sea or at some remote land site. Therefore,
there is a need for basic medical equipment. Additionally, since a rocket vehicle crash is also a
possibility, suitable equipment for dealing with possible injuries from fires and life-threatening hazards
should also be available.



Communications Equipment
Radio communications must be provided to allow remote communications between launch personnel.
Additionally, communications equipment to maintain flight management/termination must also exist.
Cell phone capability, or some similar capability, to contact fire and medical emergency
services is also necessary.

Shelter
Some kind of shelter, in the form of tents and canopies will likely be required to minimize heating of
people and equipment and to protect them from such things as rain and/or snow.

These will also serve as temporary storage locations leading up to a launch.

Transportation
Since the launch site may be remote, certainly remote from the manufacturing and assembly site, there
will be a need to transport the boosters, upper stages, payloads, and all other equipment to the remote
site. It is not necessary to own all of the transportation resources; many of them can be rented or leased
for a specific campaign. These may consist of flat-bed or enclosed trucks similar to U-Haul or Ryder
trucks.

Stage Carriers
Specialized carriers will be required for transporting the rocket stages and payload. These will likely be
purpose-built canisters to carry rocket vehicles in. These are similar to those that are currently used by
military services, but used in this non-military application.



Power Generation
A portable generator (or generators) will be required to support the launch preparation effort. For an
isolated camp with several people, tents, lighting, tools and equipment, a generator able to supply
upwards of 20 KW may be necessary. This may be rented or leased for the duration of a given launch
campaign.

Lights
Portable lights will be necessary for illuminating the launch preparation area should work be required at
night.



Appendix A – Vehicle Statistics
The following tables illustrate the vehicle weight and performance statistics


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