On-orbit servicing for the commercial utilization of space: orbital satellite services system
- Paper number
IAC-06-D3.2.01
- Author
Dr. Peter Hofmann, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Walter Naumann, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Phil Braden, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Steve Hall, United Kingdom
- Year
2006
- Abstract
As a public-private-project, a ConeXpress Orbital Life Extension System (CX-OLEV) is being developed by a consortium consisting of Orbital Recovery Ltd. (GB), Kayser-Threde (D), Dutch Space (NL), SENER (E), and SSC (S).
CX-OLEV is an orbital "tugboat" that will supply the propulsion, navigation and guidance to maintain a telecom satellite in its proper GEO slot for 10 or more additional years. CX-OLEV also can be used to rescue spacecrafts that have been placed in a wrong orbit by their launch vehicles, or which have become stranded in an incorrect orbital location during positioning maneuvers.
In February 2006 a system PDR has been successfully performed under the ESA ARTES 4 public private partnership programme. A contract has been initiated with the first customer end of February 2006.
Kayser-Threde is responsible for the docking payload of CX-OLEV, the heart of the system. The docking payload is a German national contribution, funded by the DLR Space Agency and Kayser-Threde.
The docking payload consists of:
- a Capture Tool to capture the client spacecraft nozzle (under responsibility of the DLR Institute for Robotics and Mechatronic)
- Capture tool deployment mechanism for moving the capture tool for controlled guidance in the nozzle during capturing
- Camera System: two Camera Head Assemblies with stereo docking camera, mid range and far range rendezvous cameras
- Target Illumination System: Illumination of client S/C during final approach
- CSM: Mechanical support of client S/C after retraction of Capture Tool
- DPCU: Control of all Docking Payload elements
Kayser-Threde is also responsible in association with DLR and Swedish Space Corporation for the docking operations and the corresponding ground segment.
The status of the project with emphasis on the docking payload and docking operations will be described together with the current status technically of the overall programme and the marketing activities and potential clients.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-D3.2.01.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.