Estimates for the future space launcher projects for Turkey

Space Launcher Systems are used to place satellites and other space vehicles into Earth's orbit. Solid Rocket Motors and Liquid Rocket Engines have been implemented successfully in order to achieve the rigorous mission of lifting a payload against the force of gravity. New propulsion systems have been proposed in order to replace the conventional rocket motors, however, they are either too weak for a lift-off or are too dangerous for the environment and human health. None of these proposals have been successful up until to this date. Therefore, by using new technologies for sub-systems and optimization techniques for the mission profile, the rocket motor systems, which are previously mentioned, are being enhanced to their limits. The objectives of modern space launcher projects are high reliability, low cost, flexible mission profile and increased payload capacity. The increasing and always changing needs of the space market, forces contractors to implement a variety of strategies in order to fulfil all the objectives. Especially, recent developments in payload technologies helped payload masses to decrease significantly. The needs of each individual customer can be only, met with individual solutions. Apart from the general objectives, a Space Launcher System should be available at the exact time as the need emerges. Also the security of the mission should be protected by all means necessary for civil and military customers. The aim of this article is, to investigate the capability of production of a national launcher system with the aspects of phases and critical technologies for a predetermined mission profile, and to define the route for selecting a space launcher project for Turkey. The launch system configurations described in this article apply to a payload of 130 kg mass satellite which is deployed at low and middle earth orbits. Also sounding rockets which are used as a test platform for space environment testing are included in this study. Space research was declared by the government as being one of the priori national research fields and Roketsan declared to take part in the space research being the technology leader for launcher systems and satellite propulsion. A brief roadmap to achieve these goals are given in the paper.