Apogee kick motor

An apogee kick motor (AKM) is a rocket motor that is regularly employed on artificial satellites to provide the final impulse to change the trajectory from the transfer orbit into its final orbit (most commonly circular).

For a satellite launched from the Earth, the rocket firing is done at the highest point of the transfer orbit, known as the apogee.

An apogee kick motor is used, for example, for satellites launched into a geostationary orbit.

The satellite must then provide thrust to bring forth the needed delta v to reach a geostationary orbit.

The amount of fuel carried on board a satellite directly affects its lifetime, therefore it is desirable to make the apogee kick maneuver as efficient as possible.

A Waxwing apogee kick motor .
A solid-propellant apogee motor for the NATO III communications satellite (SATCOM) is being put into a 110,000-foot altitude test. The engine also underwent the impact, vibration and acceleration (IVA) test. Arnold Engineering Development Complex , Arnold Air Force Station . 1 April 1974.