Piggyback

Deutsch: Huckepack / Español: A caballito / Português: Carona / Français: En piggyback / Italian: Trasporto secondario

Piggyback refers to the practice of launching a secondary payload alongside a primary payload on a single rocket. This method allows smaller satellites or scientific instruments to hitch a ride to space, sharing the launch costs and resources.

Description

In the space industry context, piggyback refers to the secondary payload or ride-share payload launched together with a primary payload on a single rocket. This approach is cost-effective for smaller satellite operators, as they can share the expensive launch costs with the primary payload, making space access more affordable.

Piggyback launches are particularly advantageous for:

• Small Satellites: CubeSats, nano-satellites, and micro-satellites benefit significantly from piggyback launches, as they can leverage existing missions to reach their intended orbits.
• Scientific Instruments: Research institutions and universities often use piggyback opportunities to send scientific instruments into space for various research purposes.
• Technology Demonstration: Companies and agencies can test new technologies in space without bearing the full cost of a dedicated launch.

The process typically involves the following steps:

1. Identification of Opportunity: Satellite operators identify upcoming launches with available capacity for additional payloads.
2. Coordination and Integration: The secondary payload is coordinated with the primary mission, ensuring compatibility in terms of mass, volume, and interface.
3. Launch and Deployment: The piggyback payload is integrated into the launch vehicle and deployed into its designated orbit, either during or after the primary payload deployment.

Application Areas

Piggyback launches are used in several key areas within the space industry:

• Commercial Satellites: Small commercial satellites use piggyback launches to reduce costs and reach orbit efficiently.
• Earth Observation: Earth observation missions often include multiple small satellites launched together to form a constellation, improving global coverage and data collection.
• Scientific Research: Universities and research institutions take advantage of piggyback launches to send instruments and experiments into space for various scientific investigations.
• Communication Satellites: Smaller communication satellites can be launched alongside larger ones, expanding the network without incurring the full launch costs.
• International Cooperation: Space agencies and organizations from different countries collaborate on piggyback launches, sharing costs and resources for mutual benefit.

Well-Known Examples

Several notable examples highlight the importance and success of piggyback launches in the space industry:

• SpaceX Falcon 9: SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket frequently carries multiple payloads, including commercial, scientific, and technological satellites, as secondary payloads.
• PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle): The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched numerous piggyback payloads on its PSLV missions, including a record 104 satellites on a single launch in 2017.
• Arianespace Vega: The Vega rocket, operated by Arianespace, often carries multiple small satellites as secondary payloads, demonstrating its versatility and cost-effectiveness.
• Rocket Lab Electron: Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is designed to launch small satellites, often carrying multiple piggyback payloads on each mission to maximize cost efficiency and access to space.

Treatment and Risks

Utilizing piggyback launches involves several considerations and risks:

• Scheduling and Coordination: Coordinating the launch schedule of multiple payloads can be complex, requiring meticulous planning to ensure all payloads are ready for integration.
• Compatibility: Ensuring the secondary payloads are compatible with the primary payload and the launch vehicle's specifications is crucial to avoid technical issues.
• Deployment Timing: The sequence of deploying payloads must be carefully planned to prevent collisions and ensure each satellite reaches its intended orbit.
• Risk Sharing: Secondary payloads may face higher risks if the primary mission encounters problems, as they depend on the primary payload's success for deployment.

Similar Terms

• Ride-Share Launch: Similar to piggyback, it refers to sharing a launch vehicle among multiple payloads to distribute costs and resources.
• Secondary Payload: A payload launched in addition to the primary mission payload, often benefiting from shared costs and resources.
• Co-Payload: Another term for a secondary payload, emphasizing the cooperative nature of sharing a launch vehicle.
• Cluster Launch: A launch involving multiple payloads, often of similar size and purpose, launched together to form a satellite constellation or network.

Summary

In the space industry, piggyback refers to the practice of launching a secondary payload alongside a primary payload on a single rocket. This cost-effective approach is beneficial for small satellites, scientific instruments, and technology demonstrations, allowing them to share launch costs and resources. Key application areas include commercial satellites, Earth observation, scientific research, communication satellites, and international cooperation. Notable examples of piggyback launches include SpaceX Falcon 9, ISRO's PSLV, Arianespace Vega, and Rocket Lab Electron. While piggyback launches offer significant advantages, they involve challenges such as scheduling, compatibility, deployment timing, and risk sharing, which must be carefully managed to ensure mission success.

--