Developing On-Orbit Servicing Concepts, Technology Options, and Roadmap (DOCTOR); Final Report, International Space University, Summer Session Program 2007
- Paper number
IAC-08.D3.1.10
- Author
Mr. David Grover, Grover Advisory, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
On-orbit servicing (OOS) of spacecraft has the potential to be a key element in contributing to a robust international space infrastructure. Despite numerous feasibility studies, experiments, and successful demonstrations that provide the rationale for the wider adaptation of OOS, it has yet to take-off in a widespread manner. Our report has attempted to hunt for these disconnects and provide recommended courses of action. Team DOCTOR starts with a review of past on-orbit servicing missions and a description of servicing categories, which are divided into inspection, maneuvering and manipulation missions. Following this, we perform a detailed analysis of the key challenges and opportunities in making OOS an integral part of the space industry. This leads to a gap and feasibility analysis resulting in our recommended roadmap for the development of on-orbit servicing, focused on near-, mid- and far-term missions. We have developed a feasibility matrix to serve as a flexible tool to assess mission feasibility across several criteria, including policy, economic, technical and interdisciplinary. For the especially interesting mid-term, we propose an Orbit Replaceable Unit (ORU) system architecture concept that would be economically and technically robust in a world of spacecraft standardization.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)