Phoenix
Abstract
To date, servicing operations have never been conducted on spacecraft beyond low earth orbit (LEO). A large number of national security and commercial space systems operate at geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) altitudes; furthermore, many end-of-life or failed spacecraft drift without control through portions of the GEO belt, creating a growing hazard to operational spacecraft. Technologies for servicing of spacecraft with the expectation that such servicing would involve a mix of highly autonomous and remotely (i.e., ground-based) tele-operated robotic systems have been previously pursued. The Phoenix program will build upon these legacy technologies, tackling the more complex GEO environment and expanding beyond pure traditional servicing functions. The program will examine utilization of a new commercial ride-along system to GEO called Payload Orbital Delivery (POD) system, supporting small satellite delivery as well as hardware delivery for upgrading, repairing, assembling, and reconfiguring satellites. In addition, the program will include a LEO flight experiment focused on satlets, modular building blocks for space systems, as a path of risk reduction for modular assembly on orbit. The anticipated transition partners are the Air Force, the Army, and the commercial spacecraft and spacecraft servicing providers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2018
- Source ID
- c5cdf1d577a88bdf37b3e3acc340c244