Small-Payload High-Altitude Delivery System (SPHADS)

A follow-on study of  larger multi-staged successors to the single-stage sub-orbital SPHADS-1 series of vehicles [1] was undertaken in 2005 [2].  The main schematic diagram illustrates the side-thruster array in the nose cose of the multi-staged SPHADS-2A orbital rocket vehicle. This vehicle is a proposed ground-launched variant for the Small-Payload High-Altitude Delivery System (SPHADS) program, for delivery of very small (< 10 kg) scientific packages to low Earth orbit [2].  The side-thrusters allow for the required manoeuvres needed over the course of the launch-to-orbit flight segment. The inset diagram shows the complete ground-launched 2A vehicle at the left (13.6 m in length), and the complete smaller air-launched 2B orbital vehicle at the right (10.1 m in length).

[1] Greatrix, D.R. and Karpynczyk, J., “Rocket Vehicle Design for High-Altitude Payload Delivery,” 1998 C.S.M.E. Forum, Toronto, May 19-22, 1998, proceedings, pp. 251-257 (Vol. 5).

[2] Greatrix, D.R. and Karpynczyk, J., “Rocket Vehicle Design for Small Payload Delivery to Orbit,” Canadian Aeronautics & Space Journal, Vol. 51, No. 3, Sept. 2005, pp. 123-131.