1. The importance of controlling inertial launch azimuth is observed in the following results of a plane change maneuver example, and from examination of figure 19(b). This figure shows that the dispersion in launch azimuth causes the transfer orbit inclination, i, to vary between approximately +93.3°and +98.2°. This variation of inclination, compared to the operational orbit inclination (i = 97.401625°), would require the ELV to perform an orbit plane change maneuver to achieve the inclination, i, required for the operational orbit. This orbit plane change maneuver would require an additional speed change increment, ∆Vpc,inaddition to the ∆Vtotgiven for each corresponding case (fig.19(a)), necessitating additional propellant, thereby increasingELVmassand/orreducingthemassavailable forthepayload.
2. 1Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Responsive Access, Small Cargo, & Affordable Launch (RASCAL) Demonstration Program, Phase I, Program Solicitation02-02,Dec.10,2001.
3. Contributions of the x-15 program to lifting entry technology