GEO Ring :: On-Orbit Servicing for Satellites


	WHY? Introduction Project status Debris and revenue loss Services needed Benefits to GEO Ring users HOW? The proposed archtecture Utility base Utility agent Engine module Escort agent Utilisation of existing satellites WHEN? Kickstart scenario The tanker spacecraft The tanker orbit WHAT? News and events FAQ Glossary HERMES downloads WHO? Recruitment Contacts

The benefits to users

The benefits to the users of the GEO from the HERMES project are principally that OOS will get finally a kick start date for performing:

The Utility Agent is docked on a Client Spacecraft and is thrusting to move both to another position

PHASE 0 - Demonstration

Inspection in-situ and a series of transportation services. Transportation of spent apogee kick motors and upper stages to the graveyard, transportation of spent satellites to graveyard but also on a tidily manner and not through a last burn of unpredictable duration.

In the transportation service belongs also the Inclination correction for satellites with low remaining fuel supplies. This task shall be repetitive, every few months, for extending the lifetime of the satellite. During this phase the refueling process will be demonstrated on the UA and be optimized.

As a consequence, almost scrap cheap satellites will become readily available out of the extension of their life with the inclination correction service.

PHASE 1 - full deployment, at 3600

During PHASE-1 small refuelable satellites will emerge allowing small entry cost to new entrants in the operators community.

Refueling of CS will be initially available only on the UB. CS will have to arrive to the UB using their propulsion means or they could be transported by a UA.

Bulk fuel quantities will have been scheduled quite in advance and at this stage become available on a cargo basis, for cheap refueling of the servicing fleet and the visiting CS.

PHASE 2 - Refueling of the Client Spacecrafts

The refueling service of the CSs will be available at low cost in-situ, by means of special refueling capable UAs.

Modular satellites with replaceable elements will also start to emerge. Satellite manufacturing cost will drop drastically due to the reduced need for components of high reliability and long life, given that the option to replace them on orbit will become available.

Satellites of reduced redundancy will further emerge and squeeze further the cost of manufacturing satellites and also of the launch fee due to lower mass and complexity. Reduced redundancy is also desirable from the fact that more redundancy means more complexity and difficulty in maintenance operations and testing.

PHASE 3 - Maintenance demonstration & operations

At the early stages of this phase the maintenance service of CS will become available in-situ for replacing modules and on the UB for deeper Unit Level interventions (momentum wheels, battery packs, etc).

Later on, progressively, maintenance capability will reach to lower levels in the engineering hierarchy, namely the Subassembly Level, or even the Part Level.

PHASE 4 - the assembly capable phase

During this phase structures, large in all dimensions or just long, will become available (antenna reflectors) reducing the need to launch them together with the spacecrafts.

Cost / performance ratio will be reduced to record low levels.