Orbital Express Space Operations Architecture

Program Manager: Lt Col Fred Kennedy, USAF

Overview

The goal of the Orbital Express Space Operations Architecture program was to validate the technical feasibility of robotic, autonomous on-orbit refueling and reconfiguration of satellites to support a broad range of future U.S. national security and commercial space programs.  Refueling satellites would enable frequent maneuver to improve coverage, change arrival times to counter denial and deception and improve survivability, as well as extend satellite lifetime.  Electronics upgrades on-orbit provide performance improvements and dramatically reduce the time to deploy new technology on-orbit.  The Orbital Express advanced technology demonstration designed, developed and tested on-orbit a prototype servicing satellite (ASTRO) and a surrogate next generation serviceable satellite (NextSat).  The elements of the Orbital Express demonstration, coordinated with Air Force Space Command and Air Force Space and Missile Command, was tied together by non-proprietary satellite servicing interfaces (mechanical, electrical, etc.) facilitating the development of an industry wide on-orbit servicing infrastructure.  Orbital Express successfully launched in March 2007 as part on the Air Force Space Test Program’s STP-1 mission.  The demonstration program met all mission success criteria and was completed in July 2007.

Pictures

Last Updated: 02/18/08