Orbital Antares - Manual (Page 83)

Antares
®
OSP-3
User’s Guide
Section 8.0
– Non-Standard Services
Release 1.1 July 2013 72
Figure 8.13-1. Antares LV Enhanced Performance Options
8.13.2. Antares STAR 48BV Third Stage
Orbital offers the STAR 48BV SRM as a high energy third stage on Antares shown in Figure 8.13-1. The
3-axis stabilized STAR 48BV third stage provides a significant performance increase to achieve elliptical
orbits or Earth-escape trajectories, as shown in Sections 3.3 and 3.4. The STAR 48BV third stage leve-
rages Orbital’s flight proven heritage from the Minotaur family of launch vehicles to create a low-risk, de-
veloped system. The ATK STAR 48BV SRM is derived from the STAR 48 motor line, which has an ex-
tensive flight history in space launch applications. The vectorable nozzle on the STAR 48BV is used by
the Minotaur IV+ and the Minotaur V as a higher energy alternative with 3-axis stability, giving Orbital an
off-the-shelf stage capability that works well on Antares.
The motor has two integral flanges: the lower flange attaches to the second stage while the upper flange
attaches to the payload adapter. The motor consists of a carbon-phenolic exit cone, 6AL-4V titanium
high-strength motor case, silica-filled rubber insulation system, and a propellant system that uses high-
energy TP-H-3340 ammonium perchlorate and aluminum with a Hydroxyl Terminated Polybutadiene
(HTPB) binder. An additional separation joint is placed between the STAR 48BV and the second stage to
allow this third stage to be separated after Stage 2 motor burnout. The Antares vehicle with the STAR48V
enhancement (i.e., the 122 or 132) supports a wide range of C3s. For example, performance to a C3 of 0
km
2
/sec
2
is approximately 850 kg (1870 lb) for the Antares 122 configuration. The STAR 48BV motor has
a diameter of 1,245 mm (49.0 in.) and an overall length of 2.03 m (80.0 in.), which decreases the payload
envelope length by 2 m (80 in.) axially from the nominal Antares envelope length.