SAN ANTONIO – Local researchers are developing a refueling vehicle to extend the lifespan of spacecraft in Earth’s orbit.
Southwest Research Institute has won a position on Denver-based Astroscale U.S.’s contract with the U.S. Space Force to build and test a small demonstration spacecraft as part of a $25.5 million Space Mobility and Logistics prototyping project. The spacecraft, called the Astroscale Prototype Servicer for Refueling, will refuel other compatible vehicles while in geostationary orbit.
“It’s a servicing mission; It’s a demonstration mission. It’s intended to provide a service that the Space Command really wants to have in orbit,” said Michael Epperly, senior program manager within the SwRI Space Systems Directorate.
In-space refueling is essential to ensuring the longevity of critical infrastructure in space. Nearly every major communications satellite is somewhere in geosynchronous orbit, according to Epperly, and the satellites cost hundreds of millions of dollars to deploy. When they run out of fuel, they lose orbital altitude, causing them to reenter and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.
The aerospace industry is working toward standards for refueling ports, meaning satellites currently in orbit do not have refueling capabilities. Therefore, the purpose of the demonstration, said Epperly, is to prove that the next generation of satellites and other payloads in orbit can be refueled.
“You wouldn’t want to design a future car that doesn’t have the ability to get the gas tank refilled. So (researchers) are trying to make sure the spacecraft being put in orbit next have a refillable tank and the common fixtures and technology to transfer the fuel between the depot, ourselves and another spacecraft,” Epperly said.
Over the next 16 months, SwRI engineers will build the space vehicle, integrate it with Astroscale’s sensor package, and test it at the institute’s new 74,000-square-foot Space System Spacecraft and Payload Processing Facility.
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Editor’s note: This story was published through a partnership between KSAT and the San Antonio Business Journal.