Abstract-Refereed International Conference Proc. by Rainer Krenn
66th International Astronautical Congress (IAC)
Exploitation of space must benefit from the latest advances in robotics. On-orbit servicing is a ... more Exploitation of space must benefit from the latest advances in robotics. On-orbit servicing is a clear candidate for the application of autonomous rendez-vous and docking mechanisms. However, during the last three decades most of the trials took place combining EVAs with telemanipulated robotic arms. The European Space Agency (ESA) considers that grasping and refueling are promising near-mid-term capabilities that could be performed by servicing spacecraft. Minimal add-ons on spacecraft to enhance their serviceability may protect them for a changing future in which satellite servicing may become mainstream.
ESA aims to conceive and promotestandard refueling provisions that can be installed in present and future European commercial GEO satellite platforms and scientific spacecraft. For this purpose ESA has started the ASSIST activity addressing the analysis, design and validation of internal provisions (such as modifications to fuel, gas, electrical, data architecture to allow servicing) and external provisions (such as integrated berthing fixtures with peripheral electrical, gas, liquid connectors, leak check systems and corresponding optical and radio markers for cooperative rendez-vous and docking). This refueling approach is being agreed with European industry (OHB, Thales Alenia Space) and expected to be consolidated with European commercial operators as a first step to become an international standard; this approach is also being considered for on-orbit servicing spacecraft, such as the SpaceTug, by Airbus DS.
This paper will detail the operational means, structure, geometry and accommodation of the system. Internal and external provisions will be designed with the minimum possible impact on the current architecture of GEO satellites, so that accommodating them in future satellites will not be seen as a major complication (both technical and in terms of costs), nor will it introduce additional risks in the development and commissioning of the satellite. End-effector and berthing fixtures are being designed in the range of few kilos and linear dimensions around 15cm. A central mechanical part is expected to perform first a soft docking followed by a motorized retraction ending in a hard docking phase using aligning pins. Mating and de-mating will be exhaustively analyzed to ensure robustness of operations. Leakage-free valves would allow for the transfer of fuel to the serviced spacecraft.
The validation of the ASSIST system through dedicated environmental tests in a vacuum chamber together with dynamic testing using an air-bearing table will allow for the demonstration of concept feasibility and its suitability for becoming a standard of the on-orbit space industry.
Uploads
Abstract-Refereed International Conference Proc. by Rainer Krenn
ESA aims to conceive and promotestandard refueling provisions that can be installed in present and future European commercial GEO satellite platforms and scientific spacecraft. For this purpose ESA has started the ASSIST activity addressing the analysis, design and validation of internal provisions (such as modifications to fuel, gas, electrical, data architecture to allow servicing) and external provisions (such as integrated berthing fixtures with peripheral electrical, gas, liquid connectors, leak check systems and corresponding optical and radio markers for cooperative rendez-vous and docking). This refueling approach is being agreed with European industry (OHB, Thales Alenia Space) and expected to be consolidated with European commercial operators as a first step to become an international standard; this approach is also being considered for on-orbit servicing spacecraft, such as the SpaceTug, by Airbus DS.
This paper will detail the operational means, structure, geometry and accommodation of the system. Internal and external provisions will be designed with the minimum possible impact on the current architecture of GEO satellites, so that accommodating them in future satellites will not be seen as a major complication (both technical and in terms of costs), nor will it introduce additional risks in the development and commissioning of the satellite. End-effector and berthing fixtures are being designed in the range of few kilos and linear dimensions around 15cm. A central mechanical part is expected to perform first a soft docking followed by a motorized retraction ending in a hard docking phase using aligning pins. Mating and de-mating will be exhaustively analyzed to ensure robustness of operations. Leakage-free valves would allow for the transfer of fuel to the serviced spacecraft.
The validation of the ASSIST system through dedicated environmental tests in a vacuum chamber together with dynamic testing using an air-bearing table will allow for the demonstration of concept feasibility and its suitability for becoming a standard of the on-orbit space industry.
ESA aims to conceive and promotestandard refueling provisions that can be installed in present and future European commercial GEO satellite platforms and scientific spacecraft. For this purpose ESA has started the ASSIST activity addressing the analysis, design and validation of internal provisions (such as modifications to fuel, gas, electrical, data architecture to allow servicing) and external provisions (such as integrated berthing fixtures with peripheral electrical, gas, liquid connectors, leak check systems and corresponding optical and radio markers for cooperative rendez-vous and docking). This refueling approach is being agreed with European industry (OHB, Thales Alenia Space) and expected to be consolidated with European commercial operators as a first step to become an international standard; this approach is also being considered for on-orbit servicing spacecraft, such as the SpaceTug, by Airbus DS.
This paper will detail the operational means, structure, geometry and accommodation of the system. Internal and external provisions will be designed with the minimum possible impact on the current architecture of GEO satellites, so that accommodating them in future satellites will not be seen as a major complication (both technical and in terms of costs), nor will it introduce additional risks in the development and commissioning of the satellite. End-effector and berthing fixtures are being designed in the range of few kilos and linear dimensions around 15cm. A central mechanical part is expected to perform first a soft docking followed by a motorized retraction ending in a hard docking phase using aligning pins. Mating and de-mating will be exhaustively analyzed to ensure robustness of operations. Leakage-free valves would allow for the transfer of fuel to the serviced spacecraft.
The validation of the ASSIST system through dedicated environmental tests in a vacuum chamber together with dynamic testing using an air-bearing table will allow for the demonstration of concept feasibility and its suitability for becoming a standard of the on-orbit space industry.