Planning for the On-Orbit Servicing of Military Spacecraft

摘要

On-orbit spacecraft servicing for military programs is examined. The military community appears to be somewhat reticent to embrace or, in some cases, to even consider on-orbit servicing. The civilian community appears enthusiastic about the potential of on-orbit servicing and the majority of economic studies of civilian missions show servicing strategies to be an attractive alternative to most expendable spacecraft strategies. A model called SATSERV is presented. This model can be used to conduct economic comparisons from an overall standpoint between expendable and servicing strategies. The model is implemented in a microcomputer spreadsheet format for rapid implementation and application along with ease of use by the manager. Four basic spreadsheet and mission scenarios are outlined and assumptions examined: two low earth orbit mission profiles within the current STS operations envelope, one low earth orbit mission profile outside current STS operations capability and requiring a Teleoperator maneuvering System, and one geosynchronous mission scenario involving a space station and orbital transfer vehicle.