Launcher Inc. — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: AF21S-TCSO1

Description

Launcher, in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Astrodynamics, Space Robotics, and Controls (ARC) laboratory, proposes a Phase I study to investigate the feasibility of using Launcher’s commercial orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), Orbiter, for the vitally-important space active debris removal (ADR) mission. Orbiter as an ADR spacecraft fully takes advantage of the unique dual-use technology and mission set. While leveraging the existing Launcher OTV service that would cover the initial launch costs and core version of the Orbiter spacecraft, the ADR mission can be accomplished at an estimated 50% lower price than a dedicated ADR mission when considering the full cost of a dedicated ADR spacecraft and mission-specific launch. This study will determine the optimal mission CONOPs for Orbiter to achieve a broad range of current and future debris removal scenarios while minimizing changes to the baseline product design. In doing so, the partnership will identify the enhanced system performance requirements as well as the cost and schedule for demonstrating an initial capability on orbit in a subsequent Phase II award.