Three teams have been selected to define concepts for a robotic spacecraft that could refuel or upgrade US military and commercial satellites in orbit.
Teams led by Boeing, Lockheed Martin Sanders and Spectrum Astro have each received contracts potentially worth $6 million under the US Defence Advanced Projects Research Agency's (DARPA) Orbital Express technology demonstration.
The programme will demonstrate robotic techniques for in-orbit refuelling, reconfiguring and upgrading of satellites. The aim is to reduce the cost of space operations by extending the life of spacecraft in the same way that aircraft go through mid-life updates.
Under Phase I of the Orbital Express programme, the three teams will identify the types of servicing to be demonstrated in orbit. They will also develop designs for "industry standard" satellite-to-satellite electrical and mechanical interfaces which will allow the in-orbit transfer of hardware and fluid.
The Boeing team comprises its subsidiary Hughes Space and Communications, Ball Aerospace and Technologies and TRW. Sanders is teamed with Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Space Systems/Loral, Charles Stark Draper Laboratories and Moog. Spectrum Astro's team members are Ball Aerospace, Science Applications International and Oceaneering Space Systems.
One team will be selected next year to proceed to Phase II of the programme - preliminary design - and will develop the software and sensors required for robotic space operations. Phase III will involve detailed design of the service vehicle, the "target" satellite and an in-orbit depot for replacement hardware and fuel.
Plans call for the spacecraft to be launched in 2004. Once in orbit, DARPA says: "The Orbital Express spacecraft will repeatedly demonstrate the feasibility of robotically upgrading, refuelling and reconfiguring satellites."
Source: Flight International
