Speaker
Description
As a result of booming private investments in the space sector and of its progressive commercialization, the need for a new space ecosystem is emerging. The rapid increase in the number of both active and inactive satellites in orbit is creating new use cases for activities such as in-orbit servicing, in-space manufacturing, and active debris removal. These operations are expected to enable more efficient and sustainable exploitation of space.
However, there are still several technical challenges to address. A key issue is the need for a standardized interface to ensure interoperability between servicers and clients. This interface shall allow grappling, docking, and transferring fuel and power/data. Moreover, it shall be able to withstand loads associated with high-thrust maneuvers for in-space transportation and be tailored to different classes of satellites. A wide adoption of such a standardized interface would enable the deployment of reusable and interoperable in-space transportation and servicing vehicles.
ESA’s Odyssey In-Space Proof of Concept-1 (InSPoC-1) project, currently in Phase B2, addresses this need among its objectives. The presentation will show the current status of the InSPoC-1 generic interface development, highlighting its capabilities and the benefits that could be derived from its adoption in terms of space debris mitigation, with a focus on life extension and cooperative de-orbitation.