Funding for a satellite servicing spacecraft programme called Hermes is being discussed by the European Space Agency, German aerospace centre DLR and developer Kosmas Georing Services.
Hermes includes a 350kg (770lb) "utility agent" vehicle that would transfer station-keeping fuel to a communications satellite in geostationary orbit or attach a rocket motor to reboost its orbit.
The refuelling service would cost up to €10 million ($13 million) per 50kg of propellant, and Kosmas says the utility agent could refuel up to three satellites. Satellite refuelling would require a special coupling costing €5,000. One part would be fitted to the fuel valve of the customer satellite before launch and the utility agent would carry a second part.
Developer Kosmas says the utility agent could refuel three satellites |
The utility agent could also attach a Kosmas-developed Kinitron rocket motor to the client satellite to boost its orbit. Each motor would cost €5 million and carry 50kg of propellant, and would itself be refuellable, the company says.
Developed so far with €500,000 in private financing, Hermes has advantages over rival UK-based Orbital Recovery's ConeXpress Orbital Life Extension spacecraft, its designer claims. "Our design is much simpler and more efficient," says head of design Charis Kosmas. The company plans licence manufacture and to provide in-orbit services.
Two of Kosmas's industrial partners are Swiss payload structures and fairings manufacturer Contraves Space and German space company OHB Technology.
Source: Flight International
