Novel space infrastructure concepts from LEO to GEO
- Paper number
IAC-06-D3.1.07
- Author
Mr. Bernd Sommer, Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Germany
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Beside space exploration the short and medium term focus of Automation and Robotics for space applications will be twofold: the unmanned servicing of satellites and the robotic on-orbit assembly and maintenance of large space platforms as carriers of a variety of payloads. The mastering of the related capabilities are high priority tasks to be tackled and accomplished within the coming five to ten years. Having those platforms in place together with a supporting infrastructure consisting of transporters, robotic vehicles, storage facilities etc. will lead to dramatically increased mission flexibility. Future missions will no longer depend on the direct launch of a space asset to its operational orbit. Access to the orbiting systems will be become a routine. Standardization and Modularization are major catchwords in this context. The development of a set of basic building blocks and tools will result in high system reliability at reduced risk and costs and thus will promote and foster commercialization of space. GEO transponder parks, research parks for astronomy, industrial parks for communication, navigation or earth observation will no longer be science fiction. Such scenario allows to get rid of the need to launch massive space crafts. Smaller and in future even reusable launchers can take over and do the job in a more economic way. The paper presents an overview over such potential future scenario and proposes a roadmap for its development. It further elaborates on building blocks and tools by illustrating their deployment for the assembly, integration, test and maintenace of orbital platforms.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-D3.1.07.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.