[Version 1.1 | JAN 23, 2022]

This is a user's guide provided for players. This document is applicable to the Alpha orbital transfer vehicle (AOTV) [PB Version].
This user's guide provides an overview of the Alpha orbital transfer vehicle’s capabilities and the instruction on how to operate the vehicle.

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01. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview

Alpha, iSpace's orbital transfer vehicle and satellite platform is designed to carry multiple small payloads into different orbit.

The Alpha orbital transfer vehicle is powered by iSpace's IE-3 engine, a high-efficiency engine powered with bi-propellant. The vehicle also employs a cold gas reaction control system(RCS) to precisely point itself and deploy satellites to independent yet highly precise orbits. The basic information of the vehicle are provided in TABLE 1.

TABLE 1: Basic information.

1.2 Configuration

As a configurable spacecraft, Alpha can be tailored to meet your unique mission requirements. From multi-orbit deployment, to single payload delivery, to becoming propulsion system of your satellite, Alpha can easily be adapted to make your mission possible. Typical configurations are depicted FIGURE 1-1.

FIGURE 1-1: Typical mission configurations.

1.3 Coordinate System

The Alpha orbital transfer vehicle uses an X-Y-Z reference axis system, with the axial origin located above the top of the engine. This coordinate system is illustrated in FIGURE 1-2 below.

FIGURE 1-2: Alpha's coordinate system.

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02. PERFORMANCE

This section characterizes the performance of the Alpha orbital transfer vehicle for expected mass to orbit capability. Information is also provided on injection and pointing accuracy.

2.1 Payload Capability

Performance curve for different mass payload deliveries to orbit are provided in FIGURE 2.

The performance curve in FIGURE 2 provide the total spacecraft mass above the payload interface. Thus, the mass of any required separation system or dispenser must be included along with the payload in accounting for total mass. The Alpha orbital transfer vehicle is compatible with a variety of small satellite separation systems and iBox CubeSat dispensers.
For more information on the payload interface to Alpha, see SECTION 3.1.

FIGURE 2: Performance curve.

2.2 Injection Accuracy

The Alpha orbital transfer vehicle is designed to achieve orbital insertion accuracies as shown in TABLE 2 below.

TABLE 2: Injection accuracies.

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03. MISSION OPERATIONS

This section characterizes the typical payload integration & launch operations procedures. These procedures are designed to minimize complexity, ensure safety of the payload, and increase mission reliability. Typical procedural steps are depicted FIGURE 3-1.

FIGURE 3-1: Typical procedural steps.

3.1 Payload Integration

An operation to mate the payload and/or separation system to the attach fitting on the spacecraft. There are five attach fittings on the payload platform. The dimensions of the attach fittings and the sample configurations are provided in FIGURE 3-2.

FIGURE 3-2: Payload platform

3.2 Spacecraft Integration

An operation to mate the spacecraft to the payload interface on the launch vehicle. The Alpha orbital transfer vehicle is designed to interface with most launch vehicles via a 24"(609.6 mm) interface port. The dimensions of the standard interface are provided in FIGURE 3-3.

FIGURE 3-3: S/LV interface

3.3 Launch

Alpha launches.

3.4 Spacecraft Separation

When the Alpha orbital transfer vehicle separates from the launch vehicle, the internal computer will make the instruments on the spacecraft to operational status.

3.5 Operational Satuse

In operational mode, player can send command to the spacecraft to perform (or abort) orbital maneuver. The detailed information of the activation groups are provided in TABLE 3.

TABLE 3: Activation group.