SLINGSHOT AEROSPACE INC — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: AF21S-TCSO1

Description

The USSF must create systems that provide On-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (OSAM) to extend the life of its spacecraft, de-orbit debris, reuse and recycle materials and enhance the spaceflight safety throughout a satellites lifecycle (launch, operations & de-orbit). To this end, Slingshot will develop Slingshot SpaceTagTM, a novel hosted payload with an independent Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) subsystem, as well as attitude sensors, that can be attached to USSF and commercial space objects prior to launch and, in the future, post launch assisted by suitable deployment mechanisms.  The result of this capability will enable safe on-orbit approach, acquisition, and servicing, ultimately creating a force multiplying effect by enabling servicing spacecraft to make fuel no-longer the life-limiting factor in USSF spacecraft design and creating opportunities for an asymmetric advantage through on-orbit construction by reusing/recycling materials already on orbit.