Speaker
Description
InSPoC & Odyssey to enable an in-space ecosystem:
This session will provide on the programme spearheading the in-space logistics ecosystem within ESA Space Transportation System Directorate. It will cover In-Space Proof-of-Concepts (InSPoC) and Odyssey, focusing on enabling Spacecraft Servicing Interfaces to act in space for in-space logistics. It will also present applications of such interfaces, within ASTRIS Logistics Orbital Transfer Vehicle, and within RAVEN dual use mobility space-tug.
We are at the dawn of a new era of space transportation.
The objective of the In-Space Proof-of-Concepts programme is to enable a In-Space Transportation ecosystem.
We are building the Space Logistics infrastructure, to transport payloads in space, in a more sustainable and competitive approach, with a multimodal logistics network, like the one we have on Earth, with cargo, containers and trucks for last mile delivery.
In such an ecosystem, reusable space-tugs will dock to their payloads in parking orbits, deliver them to their destination, and refill with orbital propellants depots, allowing them to pursue their space logistics missions with next assignment.
Europe has a leading edge on In-space mobility, with an ever-increasing number of orbital transfer vehicles already flying and in development.
Our objective is to provide the full potential to these vehicles by transforming them into reusable space-tugs that can interact in-space and perform several missions. They will become long-lasting serviceable space assets for a bustling orbital economy.
These new capabilities of docking, refilling, intelligence and logistics, are all about interactions & interoperability, with shared interfaces that will be commonly adopted and easy to integrate.
And that’s what we are enabling with the In-Space Proof-of-Concepts programme.
The InSPoC roadmap ensures an incremental acquisition of these space transportation capabilities and enabling interfaces, with successive In-Orbit Demonstrations over the coming years.
InSPoC-1 is developing the foundational capabilities of in-orbit rendezvous, docking and non-cryogenic refilling. This is the cornerstone to allow our space-tugs to become reusable and interoperable. InSPoC-1 will provide the European industry with de-risked off-the-shelf interfaces for:
- Guidance, navigation and control for safe rendezvous between collaborative spacecrafts
- And docking and refilling interfaces for spacetugs to dock with their payloads for ensuring their last mile delivery and to dock to orbital propellant depots for in-orbit refilling.
After successful parallel contracts on Preparation Phases and Definition Phase with top-notch consortia of LSI and key techno suppliers, we are now launching the Implementation Phase.
It will culminate to the IOD of collaborative rendezvous, docking & refilling between two spacecrafts.
InSPoC-2 is tackling cryogenics in space, with In-orbit cryogenic propellant storage & refilling, to have the most leading-edge performance for our space-tugs and propellants depots
InSPoC-3 and -4 are then extending the impact of in-space transportation operations and fleet management, by overcoming its challenges on software and hardware,
- InSPoC-3 is leveraging On-board & shared intelligence in space
- InSPoC-4 will develop advanced in-space logistics with streamlined in-space cargo framework providing the full impact for a vibrant space transportation ecosystem
The InSPoC interfaces will be integrated in Odyssey, to deploy in-orbit refilling capabilities for Europe, starting with distributed refilling around Earth for dynamic orbital operations and long-lasting presence in space.
Odyssey will be the backbone of the in-orbit refilling infrastructure for a sustained in-space transportation ecosystem, supporting institutional missions and commercial markets.
The InSPoC Programme is spearheading the change in the way the Agency works with the SpaceTech industry, for utmost impact. We value co-opetition: the right mix of competition and collaboration, to achieve higher goals together.
We are unfolding competitive calls, with call for ideas, pitch-days to foster match-making, and parallel contracts converging to one single IOD for each InSPoC.
Alongside our projects, we extend the outreach of our venture with the In-space transportation Club.
It gathers the European SpaceTech stakeholders, with over 600 active members from more than 20 countries, to steer the future and enable the in-space transportation ecosystem together.
Feel free to join us in this odyssey to enable the in-space transportation ecosystem and a bustling orbital economy