Servicing of multiple satellites using an OMV-derived transfer vehicle
Abstract
Servicing vehicles and supplies to be used for extending the mission life of polar orbiting satellites will be launched into orbit by expendable launch vehicles, since the Space Shuttle currently is not expected to operate in this orbital regime. The Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle or a smaller version being designed for this purpose, and its performance potential as a permanently space-based satellite servicing vehicle, are the subject of this paper. A single servicing vehicle of this class can maneuver, as required, to visit multiple user satellites in their respective orbits. Cost-effective orbit transfer techniques are essential for a viable multi-satellite servicing scenario. Such transfer modes and servicing scenarios, and the usable payload delivery performance achievable are analyzed and compared.
- Publication:
-
Orbital Mechanics and Mission Design
- Pub Date:
- 1989
- Bibcode:
- 1989ommd.proc..171G
- Keywords:
-
- Orbital Maneuvering Vehicles;
- Orbital Servicing;
- Satellite Lifetime;
- Orbital Rendezvous;
- Polar Orbits;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles