Strengthening the Resiliency of US Satellites in GEO Through On-Orbit Servicing

Todd Master Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

Arlington, VA

International Symposium on Ensuring Stable Use of Outer Space Tokyo, Japan

1 March 2019

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• There are many ways to achieve/increase resiliency for our GEO assets • Harden them • Disaggregate them • Move them

• This talk will focus on a new way of increasing resiliency – on-orbit servicing • Servicing allows for replenishment of consumables (e.g., fuel) • Servicing allows for repair of (some) damaged items • Servicing allows for up-close inspection so that damage can be understood (and

attributed) • Servicing allows for installation of new items that can either support resiliency

goals (e.g., SSA) or can provide new capabilities

• More specifically, this talk will focus on a DARPA-funded servicing system

known as Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS)

Resiliency for GEO spacecraft

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Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS)

Goal: To create a dexterous robotic operational capability in geosynchronous orbit

Benefits:

• Increased resilience for the current U.S. space infrastructure

• The first concrete step toward a transformed space architecture with revolutionary capabilities

Cooperatively inspect spacecraft experiencing anomalies

Cooperatively assist with orbit adjustments

Cooperatively correct mechanical problems

Cooperatively install self contained payloads on-orbit

Artist’s Concept Artist’s Concept Artist’s Concept Artist’s Concept

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GEO today

• Single fairing constraint

• No response to failures

• Fixed capabilities

The potential of space robotics

GEO future

• On-orbit assembly

• On-orbit servicing

• On-orbit upgrades

SSL Tethers Unlimited

Robotics can enable a transformation of space

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Vision: A servicing ecosystem in GEO

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Spacecraft maneuver

Restore orbit

Rendezvous, Dock

Present-day GEO asset

Future GEO asset

Delivery: PODs

Delivery: ESPA, secondary, dedicated

Acquire, transport

Future small satellite

Future GEO asset

Acquire, transport,

unpack

Artist’s Concept

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Why DARPA chose GEO

Large concentration of serviceable, accessible assets ~5:1 commercial to government More data Reduced cost Available for

government when needed

National security benefits from robust revenue stream

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No end in sight for GEO satellite anomalies

©arianespace.com

Artist’s Concept

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• OAC systems can add vital capabilities to existing on-orbit unmodified operational satellites

• OACs represent a major new element for in-space servicing • Installation of capabilities allows evolution of mission capabilities • Mitigates unanticipated threats and leverages opportunities

• Concept • Self-contained unit (power, data, comms, command) requiring only

structural attachment to existing space vehicle hard-point • E.g., Solar array boom, Marman ring, empty launch lock, etc.

• Delivered to RSGS via PODs or other space logistics infrastructure

• RSGS installs via standard tool set

• Potential applications • Local Space Situational Awareness (SSA) “security cam” • Space weather sensor • Defensive capabilities • And many more…

On-orbit attachable capabilities (OAC)

OAC Capability

Artist’s Concept

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OAC example delivery via POD Ejection Mechanism (PEM)

POD Mission Concept POD Ejection

POD Capture by RSGS

SSL image

Artist’s Concept

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Artist’s Concept

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• Bringing new capabilities to GEO • Adding situational awareness, protective features • Disaggregate via payloads dispersed throughout GEO • Shorten technology refresh timelines

• On-orbit upgrade could lower cost of access to GEO • Payloads that do not require propulsion or attitude control

• Quicker, lower cost payload integration • Two years from determination of need to on-orbit installation

• Perhaps even shorter with pre-built modular OACs

• Variety of means of delivering to orbit

• More rapid response to tech developments, terrestrial changes

Why upgrade on-orbit?

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RSGS animation

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20-year foundation of on-orbit demonstrations sets the stage for operational capability in RSGS

JAXA ETS-VII Test Satellite (1997-1999)

Image courtesy Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

DARPA Orbital Express (2007) NASA Robotic Refueling Mission (2011-2014)

Image courtesy NASA

USAF XSS-11 (2005)

Image courtesy USAF

Artist’s Concept

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15-year foundation of technology development for RSGS flight program

Integrated Robotics Workstation Flight SW Testbed

Flight Prototype Robotics Undergoing EMI Testing

Flight Prototype Tools and Tool Changer Demonstration Testbed

Full Scale HWIL Testing

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RSGS payload components

Robotic Arm Assembly (RAA) Post-CDR, Flight I&T upcoming

Tool Changer and Receptacle Post-CDR, EM testing underway

Oceaneering Space Systems

Panchromatic, Color, and IR Cameras

Post-CDR

LIDAR Pre-PDR

Robotics Processing Module (RPM) and Common Remote Electronics (CRE)

At-CDR, EDU assembly underway

Payload Lighting Pre-CDR, Radiation Testing

Successful

Payload Algorithms & Flight Software PDR Level

Structural, Power and Data Port post-PDR

Power Distribution Unit (PDU) Post-PDR, EM fabrication underway

MDA End of Arm Control Board (EACB) Post-PDR, EDU testing complete,

EM fabrication underway

Tool Kit Marman Ring Tool: post-PDR POD Capture Tool: pre-PDR

LAE Tool: pre-PDR

SSLR

NRL

NRL NRL

NRL

NRL

NRL

NRL NRL NRL

NRL

Sierra Nevada Corp

Malin Space Systems

VIS IR

Neptec

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RSGS tool changeout at NRL testbed

NRL

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Automated repair demonstration at NRL

NRL

Client Bus

Client Marmon Ring

Servicer “Bus”

Client Solar Array

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Evolution: expanded capabilities, lower costs LO

GIS

TICS

Expanded coverage, new tools,

experiments

CON

STRU

CTIO

N

Modular spacecraft with on-orbit

replaceable units

Large apertures, structures, and bases

Fully automated space logistics

Technology development and investment

NASA

REPAIR REPOSITION INSPECT AUGMENT

OAC Capability POD

First steps in GEO logistics

NASA

Artist’s Concept

Artist’s Concept

Artist’s Concept

First robotic capability in

GEO

Artist’s Concept

NovaWurks Image

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Consortium For Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS)

CONFERS is open to all relevant stakeholders – it is intended to become self-sustaining, industry-led, and international in scope

CONFERS Objectives: • Develop and publish non-binding,

voluntary consensus standards (technical and operational) for cooperative rendezvous and servicing by private entities

• Based upon shared industry / Government experience

• Create and facilitate an industry/government forum for members to discuss plans and policy issues related to satellite servicing

• Provide a technical basis for USG entities that implement international obligations for authorization and supervision of U.S. non-governmental activities in outer space

www.satelliteconfers.org

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www.darpa.mil

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