The Utility Base
 |
 The Utility Agent separated from the Tanker after refuelling, supervised by the Escort Agent
|
The characteristics of the first element of this architecture, (namely the Utility Base (UB)) are as follows:
The UB has a large size: it is a large object in comparison to the current satellites (having the role of a Mothership). Its function is to provide resource & spares and also provide a resting place to the fleet units (UAs, EMs, EAs). It can provide to these fleet units fuel, pressurant gas, high bandwidth link for tele-operations etc). With regards to its positioning it is planned to station it in a busy area at the GEO ring level with some inclination (TBD) for optimal traffic flow of the fleet and perform station keeping when it is needed.
|
