DARPA Solicits Space Tug Bids

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DARPA Solicits Space Tug Bids

The U.S. Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA) plans to solicit industry bids to design small, semiautonomous spacecraft that would service U.S. military satellites on orbit. On June 7, DARPA will award two or three industry teams US$6 million contracts to refine their Orbital Express concepts over a three-month period. One team ultimately will be chosen to build a system for testing in space. The agency hopes to develop prototype technologies by around 2004, and have working systems in place by 2010.

Orbital Express, could have implications for military and commercial space activities. DARPA's goal is to move away from "the inflexibility and risk intolerance that were traditionally associated with our intelligence systems." The maneuverability of spy satellites is limited by their on-board fuel supplies. The Orbital Express project could lead to a "new infrastructure." For example, a robotic tug, dubbed the Autonomous Space Transporter and Robotic Orbiter (ASTRO), could shuttle back and forth between the spy satellite and fuel dumps stationed in holding orbits. The Orbital Express project also seeks to develop a "standard design" for reconnaissance satellites, such that components can be replaced and upgraded as technology changes occur.

DARPA is interested in concepts for autonomous satellite servicing, to enable a broader range of satellite operations, longer satellite life, and more maneuverable satellites. Concepts of interest include:

spacecraft-to-spacecraft interface(s) enabling preplanned electronics upgrade, refueling, reconfiguration or resupply (e.g., replenish consumables) of one spacecraft by another;
an ASTRO (Autonomous Space Transporter and Robotic Orbiter) servicing spacecraft (envisioned to be a micro-shuttle that remains permanently on-orbit) that will autonomously conduct operations (e.g., inspection and other close-proximity operations, docking, and satellite preplanned electronics upgrade, refueling and reconfiguration), be capable of accessing satellites at all orbital altitudes (LEO-to-GEO-to Lagrangian Points), and be capable of performing significant plane changes (at constant altitude, using ascent-change plane-descent maneuvers, and/or aero-assisted maneuvers);
a new satellite design enabling a satellite to be electronically upgraded, serviced (i.e., refueled and/or have consumables replenished) and/or reconfigured (e.g., systems, subsystems or components replaced) by a servicing (ASTRO) spacecraft; and,
new fuels (e.g., on-orbit, electrolysis-derived hydrogen and oxygen) with properties enabling satellite-to-satellite fuel transfers. Types of concepts sought: For the purposes of this announcement, routine, reliable and economical transport to orbit of requisite spacecraft, hardware, fuel and consumables is assumed.

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April 10, 2000

Andrews Space & Technology