On 23 January 2023, the ESA Clean Space team will host a webinar on “ESA standardising interfaces for in-orbit servicing”.
Webinar Objective
Provide an overview of the state-of-the-art for in-orbit servicing standardisation guidelines and technologies developed by ESA together with European industry.
In-orbit servicing (IOS) is a broad term that encompasses all services that a space tug can provide to other space vehicles, such as refuelling, repairing, AOCS takeover, debris removal and many more. Performing IOS involves several challenges, particularly when the object was not prepared in advance to be serviced.
In the past years, ESA has conducted extensive work on the topic of in-orbit servicing and has been developing various standardised technologies that could be used to support the rendezvous and capture of both cooperative and uncooperative targets, with a number of these technologies already adopted for implementation. Furthermore, the development of these technologies went hand-in-hand with the development of operational and systems standards.
ESA has established a number of technology standards and guidelines with a number of these already adopted by upcoming missions. During this webinar, ESA will present the following topics:
- Close-Proximity Operations Guidelines
- Systems requirements for in-orbit servicing
- Technologies developed to support and ease close-proximity operations, capture and rendezvous for in-orbit servicing
When is it?
On 23 January from 15:00 to 16:00 CET. Following the webinar, the team will remain available from 16:00 to 16:30 to reply to your questions.
Where does it take place?
Online, you will receive a link a few days before to connect to the webinar.
How do I register?
You can register until Thursday 19 January 2023 at the following link: https://indico.esa.int/e/ESA-IOS-standardising-interfaces
Is the webinar open to everyone?
The webinar is open to representatives from the space industry in ESA Member States.
Note
If you would like to get access to any of the aforementioned documents, please send a request to cleanspace@esa.int
Discussion: 4 comments
Je suis intéressé.
This is interesting news. The in-orbit services segment of the space industry is emerging as the need for cooperative/dynamic in-orbit servicing is growing across refuelling, inspection/repair and de-orbiting applications. Here is a study covering the satellite docking systems across these applications:
https://bisresearch.com/industry-report/satellite-docking-system-market.html
“The global satellite docking system market is estimated to reach $1,011.34 million in 2032 from $40.3 million in 2021, at a growth rate of 31.3% during the forecast period 2022-2032. The growth in the global satellite docking system market is expected to be driven by the enforcement of regulations on space sustainability and increase in in-orbit services.”
There are multiple docking systems being developed and standardization in this regard will help the industry seamlessly adopt in-orbit servicing where multiple service providers will have a fair market to operate in while the market has enough capacity to support multiple satellite operators. Overall, interesting times ahead for in-orbit servicing market.
These are ESA funded projects to develop interfaces for Cleanspace program. Other interfaces have been developed in Europe under EC Horizon program with broader application fields. A review of interfaces available in Europe including those would give a more clear view of the implementation possibilities.
Thank you Eduardo for your comment. This was indeed an ESA Clean Space webinar focused on ESA projects. For sure, many people would definitely be interested to know more about the interfaces developed under EC Horizon program.