BUSEK CO., INC. — Department of Defense STTR Phase I: AF21S-TCSO1

Description

Busek and its STTR partners are proposing two coupled Orbital Prime proposals addressing all three Tech Tracks identified in the solicitation, culminating with an active debris removal (ADR) demonstration.  Coupled proposals are required to meet the 36months target for in-space demonstration. In this second of two parallel efforts Busek and its partners will develop ESPA class bus to serve as the Host Space Vehicle (HSV) called ORDER (Orbital Debris Remover) for the SOUL (Satellite on Umbilical Line) ADR system developed in the proposed companion effort.  SOUL is ~10kg versatile, autonomous, robotic vehicle that is deployed from a larger ORDER.  SOUL and ORDER are connected by up to 50m long umbilical, providing power, bidirectional telemetry and strength for towing.   SOUL has its own propulsion, proximity sensors and sufficient data processing for object (debris) recognition, relative pose estimation, way point path planning and path execution.  All of these capabilities of autonomous operation have been demonstrated (on air table) under an ongoing USSF funded program to develop SOUL Inspector.  The SOUL Inspector will be converted to ADR in the companion effort.  The proposed effort is fully supported by the USSF SOUL Inspector sponsor who provided a letter of endorsement included herein. Key advantages of the SOUL technology include the avoidance of two large bodies (servicer and client S/C or a debris) making a close approach which is necessary for capturing a client with robotic arm.  Contact between two massive bodies with large momentum is likely to produce additional debris.  The SOUL offers: 1) 50m servicer to client separation, low mass and low momentum; 2) the option of either towing or pushing the debris; 3) easier capture tumbling debris by better matching its motion.  Critics of the SOUL technology focus on unproven umbilical stability in zero g environment.  However, SOUL deployment along gravity gradient is unconditionally stable.  In Phase 1 the team will perform conceptual design of the ORDER bus.  The team includes USC/LA for the bus design, MIT/Lincoln lab for GNC, and Morehead State University for high-rate real time communications required during the debris capture. Busek will be responsible for program management, system engineering, power generation and for propulsion.  Data rates capability, on-board power and tanks that hold enough of propellant for high deltaV EP mission (mandatory feature for deorbiting multiple debris using one ORDER) will dictate the bus design.   In Phase 2 the design will be matured to a level approaching CDR.  Essential elements of the non-flight bus will be purchased or constructed depending on availability and cost of the two approaches.  This includes its structure, elements of power, communication, and C&DH/flight SW systems.  The bus and SOUL ADR will be integrated and tested near the end Phase 2.  In Phase 3 the ORDER will be demonstrated in space on a US owned LEO debris.