Satellite capturing strategy using agile orbital servicing vehicle, Hyper-OSV

Abstract

To realize practical orbital servicing missions in the 21st century, we have developed a new system concept for an orbital servicing vehicle named Hyper-OSV (Orbital Servicing Vehicle), which has higher speed manipulation capability and larger operation area than OSVs that were proposed in the 1990's. The main feature of Hyper-OSV (HOSV) is the separation of the operation function and the long-term in-orbit surviving functions such as a solar panel and a large communication antenna. This releases HOSV from attitude restrictions and flexible dynamics and provides a large operation area. The second feature of HOSV is the reconfigurable function that allows HOSV to perform various orbital servicing missions. One of the most difficult missions of HOSV is the non-cooperative satellite capture. Separation of the operation function and the long-term in-orbit survival functions gives HOSV an agile working ability. Thus, we have proposed a satellite capturing strategy using an agile orbital servicing vehicle like HOSV and have been conducting its feasibility study. This paper outlines Hyper-OSV first, and then presents the satellite capturing strategy using an agile orbital servicing vehicle and feasibility studies of the satellite capturing.