SPARTAN was originally conceived, like the GAS Cans, to take advantage of Shuttle capacity on a space-available basis. Indeed, its pointing system is actually derived directly from one used on sounding rockets in order to minimise cost. SPARTAN was also planned as a replacement for sounding rocket-type missions. During launch. SPARTAN is supported by a MPESS support structure (the basis for the Hitchhiker-M) and is deployed and recovered using the Remote Manipulator System. To date, SPARTAN has flown just once, in June 1985. Further flights are planned to restart in 1993. Interestingly, it is reported that the total cost of this first mission, including the payload, but excluding the launch costs, was just $3.5 million (1985). [20] 3.4.3 CIS Launch Opportunities In addition to European and US launch opportunities, consideration should also be given to options from the Commonwealth of Independent States. Of the limited number of European companies to have participated in former Soviet missions, Kayser-Threde has gained experience in flying small payloads on the Soviet Resurs and Foton capsules, [21] and has more recently proposed the RAPUNZEL [22] mission involving the deployment of a tethered satellite/re-entry capsule. These capsules (Figure 3.4-3) are able to support a range of piggyback launch opportunities comparable in capability to ASAP, although in a low Earth orbit. Discussion of other issues relating to CIS launch opportunities and cooperation are presented in Section 7.3.
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