Orbital Express

 2007-006A

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Autonomous Space Transporter and Robotic Orbiter (ASTRO).

STP DARPA-0001 Orbital Express Adv Tech Demo, STP 2000. Launch in 2006 Sep by Atlas V 401 AV-013 from CC

2 sats launched in 2006 for auto docking and fuel transfer. Astro is the servicing and 'chase' spacecraft.

Orbit 492 x 492 x 46.

Mass 1100 kg, length 1.8m dia 1.8m and span 5.6m. Boeing Phantom Works, Advanced Systems is prime, DARPA is lead. Oct prism + 2 panels + manipulator arm.

After launch, ASTRO had some control problems and Nextsat managed the stack; the problems were sorted out by a software update on Mar 23.

After initial experiments culminating in undock and redock, there will be more tests with grapple capture of Nextsat and then seven rendezvous and capture tests and ranges up to 7 km, with further propellant transfers.

Date	Time	Event	Orbit
2007 Mar 9	0310	Launch by Atlas V
		T+4:04 Atlas MECO
		T+4:10 Atlas sep
	0314	T+4:20 Centaur MES-1
		T+4:28 Fairing sep
	0324	T+14:23 Centaur MECO-1	492 x 496 x 46
	0328	T+18:02 Orbital Express sep
2007 Mar		1 week checkout phase
2007 Mar 14		Checkout and initialization complete
2007 Mar 23		Software update solves GNC issue
2007 Mar 28		MDA checkout
2007 Apr 1		Propellant transfer expt
2007 Apr 2		Propellant transfer expt
2007 Apr 5		Prop transfer back from Nextsat
2007 Apr 6		Battery transfer via arm
		Battery installed on NextSat
2007 Apr 9		Prop transfer to N
2007 Apr 11		Prop transfer to N
2007 Apr 13		Prop transfer from N
		Prop coupler demate
2007 Apr 17
		MDA unberth Nextsat, position at 2m distance
	1754	Separation ring ejected
		Reberth Nextsat
2007 May 6
	0522	Undock from Nextsat
		Sep to 10-m
	0630?	Redock Nextsat after 1 hr
2007 May 11		Undock from Nextsat
		Scenario 3-1
		Stationkeep at 10m on way to 30m
		At 30 m
		Return to 10m
		Computer problem, guidance abort
		Retreat towards 120m
		Guidance issues, drift to 2.5km behind for 24 h
2007 May 12		Software issue, burn incorrect
		End up 6 km ahead of NextSat
2007 May 19		Redock with Nextsat
2007 Jun 16	0950	Undock, sep to 120m
		Flyaround; Scenario 5
		Stationkeep for 17 min
		-R-bar approach
		Redocked after 5 hr?
2007 Jun 23		Undock; Scenario 7
		Stationkeep at 4 km
2007 Jun 23		Capture Nextsat with MDA arm
2007 Jun 29?		Undock to 7 km; Scenario 8
2007 Jun 29		Redock
2007 Jul 2		Propellant transfer; complete Sc. 8
2007 Jul 16		EOL scenario: undock
		Separate to 310 km range
		Begin re-rendezvous
2007 Jul 19		Rendezvous with Nextsat
		Stationkeep at 1 km
2007 Jul 20		Separation burn
2007 Jul 21		Nextsat turned off
2007 Jul 22		Astro fuel jettison
		Astro deactivated

Payload:

• Manipulator arm (MDA)

• AVGS guidance sensor (MSFC) for capture

• ARCSS (Autonomous Rendezvous and Capture Sensor System) for acquisition and approach; Laser rangefinder, vis, LWIR sensors, spotlight

• Docking capture system

• Crosslink antenna

• Battery ORU, 24 kg, for transfer to NS

• Computer ORU with firewire connection

2007-006C

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Ball STP Orbital Express target satellite, to be serviced by the Astro refuelling satellite. Mass 250 kg (or 400 kg?).

Oct Cyl + 1 panel.

Ball Aerospace provided the Next Generation Satellite and Commodities spacecraft (NextSat/CSC) and ground support equipment, and participated in launch and mission operations.

Payload:

• Servicable propellant system with hydrazine (no propulsion system)

• Crosslink antenna

• Docking targets

• ORU fixture

• Grapple fixture