3697. The Case for In-Service Mass Properties of Missiles and Space Vehicles
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Paper
Abstract
With many misconceptions regarding the invariability of missiles and space systems vehicles during their in-service life, this paper presents the case that these mass properties are not only variable, but highly contingent on time-phased operations of the vehicles. Various space vehicles are described depicting how the type of vehicle and its components greatly affect the mass properties of the vehicle during its service life. An example mission with a high-level description of the changes that affect mass properties is used to illustrate just how much the mass properties can change throughout a mission. Finally, a brief discussion of current requirements documents is presented to show that these misconceptions are accounted for by the industry.