1. Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) Program Overview
Dr. Gordon Roesler
Future In-Space Operations Colloquium
June 15, 2016
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2. We’ve been talking about this for a long time…
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3. Historical satellite servicing concepts
Lockheed
1958
MSFC 1970
©cyberneticzoo.com
©cyberneticzoo.com
1988
TRW OMV
©Astronautix.com
ORC
2005
©orbitalrecovery.com
2011
DLR
©ohb-system.de
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4. Automated robotics on orbit
1997
JAXA ETS-VII
©astro.mech.tohoku.ac.jp
2007
DARPA Orbital Express
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5. GEO represents maximum customer set
~5:1 commercial to government
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6. Recent satellite anomalies
New Dawn
AEHF-1
©arianespace.com
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7. Ten years’ worth of anomalies
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8. Repair is feasible U.S. Naval Research Laboratory BICEP test 2010
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9. RSGS evolved from past technology investments
Flight Program
Tools & CONOPS
Flight Robotic Arm
Lab Experiments
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10. Pulling together technologies
SUMO
FREND
ORBITAL EXPRESS
PHOENIX
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11. Increasing levels of integrated testing
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12. RSGS: resilience and transformation
Goal: To create a dexterous robotic operational capability in Geosynchronous Orbit, that can both provide increased resilience for the current US space infrastructure, and be the first concrete step toward a transformed space architecture with revolutionary capabilities.
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13. The DARPA baseline mission set
Anomaly Correction
High-Resolution Inspection
Upgrade Installation
Cooperative Relocation
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14. Space Logistics DARPA PODS ©MDA-SSL ©MDA-SSL & Intelsat
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15. RSGS + POD = logistics infrastructure
Robotic Servicing Vehicle (RSV)
Spacecraft maneuver
RSV restores orbit, conserves asset propellant
RSV
docks
Present-day GEO asset
Future GEO asset
Payload Orbital Delivery (POD) System
Deliveries to GEO via PODS (hosted on commercial satellite)
Deliveries to GEO via ESPA, secondary, or dedicated launch
captures & transports expendables
RSV attaches new
GEO payloads
Future small satellite
RSV replenishes expendables
RSV captures & unpacks POD
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16. Robotics: centerpiece of growth
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17. We are looking for our partner
BUILDER
GEO Servicing!
OWNER +
Artist’s Concept
OPERATOR +
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18. Nurturing the transformation
NEW SERVICES, ARCHITECTURES
SPACE LOGISTICS
Artist’s Concept
EXPERIMENTS
UPGRADES
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19. An innovative partnership
What
Government contribution: robotic payload, launch, milestone payment upon demo completion
Partner team: GEO heritage spacecraft bus, integration, ground segment
Why
More customers
More opportunities to learn
Help close the servicing business case
Government access, favorable terms
How
Other Transactions (OT) for Prototype: true partnership
US space industry Builder-Owner-Operator partner team
Management structure proposed by partner
Collaborative decision making
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20. Capability demonstration and after
DARPA will arrange for one or more GEO vehicles as test customers
Once on-orbit RSGS vehicle will
Complete a checkout and calibration phase
Demonstrate capabilities that support inspection, tug, anomaly resolution, and upgrade capabilities
Estimated 6 to 9 months followed by Milestone Payment
Following demo, partner conducts revenue generating operations
Commercial satellite servicing
Government fee-for-service missions
Payload being designed for 5-8 years of GEO operations to facilitate Partner ROI
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21. Schedule and milestones
Partner Selection ~ November 2016 Bus, Payload component assembly and test 2018 Bus and Payload integration 2019 RSGS launch September 2020 – March 2021 Capability Demonstration 6-9 months
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22. Distribution Statement A
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