SBIR-STTR Award

Satellite servicing is a major emerging space operations capability. However current satellites servicing is primarily limited to large GEO spacecraft. Altius proposes developing a magnetic capture technology and magnetic grappling interface that can allow affordable satellite servicing in LEO of spacecraft as small as cubesats.In this Phase I effort, Altius proposes developing a proof-of-concept Cubesat-scale version of its DogTag magnetic grappling fixture, along with a prototype magnetic capture head, and performing integrated testing on the prototypes. Altius will also develop an mission simulation and economics model that will allow it to determine if its existing Bulldog spacecraft design can affordable service cubesats. The Phase I effort will raise the Cubesat DogTags and magnetic grappling technology from TRL 2 to 4, and prepare Altius for flight qualification of the Cubesat DogTags, and an integrated ground air-bearing capture demo in Phase II.Satellite servicing,Cubesats,microsatellites,Cooperative Servicing Aids,Magnetics.

One of the keys to enabling affordable servicing of small satellites in Low-Earth Orbit is the development of lightweight, low-cost interfaces that satellite developers can build into satellites prior to launch. These interfaces can dramatically lower the cost and increase the utility of servicing satellites. In this Phase I/II effort, Altius is developing a magnetic capture/servicing system with no moving parts, enabling easy capture and servicing of even tumbling spacecraft. In Phase I, Altius developed and demonstrated conceptual designs of a combination grappling/servicing panel sized for use on cubesats and microsatellites, developed and demonstrated a Dual-Mode ElectroPermanent-Magnetic (EPM) capture head, and performed an economic simulation of LEO servicing in sun synchronous orbit (SSO). In Phase II, Altius will perform flight development and qualification of the combination grappling/servicing panel, and will develop a brassboard prototype of the Dual-Mode EPM capture head. Altius and its partners will also develop a 3DOF capture dynamics simulation for the Dual-Mode EPM capture head and combination panel, and will validate the simulations using air-bearing testing. Lastly, Altius and its partners will expand its Phase I economic model to assess the feasibility of servicing a multi-plane LEO telecommunications megaconstellation.