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.
Southwest Research Institute will build, integrate and test a small spacecraft as part of a $25.5 million Space Mobility and Logistics prototyping project funded by the U.S. Space Force and led by prime contractor Astroscale U.S.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.. Nearly every major communications satellite is somewhere in geosynchronous orbit, according to Epperly, and the satellites cost hundreds of millions of dollars to deploy.
“You wouldn’t want to design a future car that doesn’t have the ability to get the gas tank refilled. So 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.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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