Orbital Recovery

Orbital Recovery

The world's first commercial satellite servicing system. The technical team was based in Europe with Dutch Space, then Swedish Space as the prime contractor. Developed the technical baseline, developed the mission requirements document, and set the cost baseline for commercial viability.

Created: 2023-08-10

Updated: 2023-08-18

Company - Orbital Recovery

Founded
Country
2001
USA,UK
Funding
Yes, ?

Product/Service - Orbital Life Extension Vehicle (OLEV)

Classification
In-Space Transportation
Category
Satellite Life Extension
Active Debris Removal (ADR)
On-Orbit Servicing
Fields
In-Space Satellite Servicing
On-Orbit Servicing
Status
Dormant
First launch
2007

Orbital Recovery's Responsive Commercial Space Tug for Life Extension Missions (2004)

Orbital Recovery Corporation (ORC) and its UK subsidiary Orbital Recovery Limited (ORL) are in the developmental stage of an orbital space tug called the Orbital Life Extension Vehicle (OLEV), whose purpose is to mechanically mate with an existing communications spacecraft in GEO or GEO intended orbit, take over north/south and east/west station keeping as well as attitude control.

Orbital Recovery Ltd. Signs Launch Ariane Services Contract For the ConeXpress Orbital Life Extension Vehicle “Space Tug” (May 2004)

Orbital Recovery Ltd. signed a long-term, exclusive launch services contract for the ConeXpress Orbital Life Extension Vehicle (CX OLEV ™) a unique spacecraft that will be deployed by Ariane 5 to serve as an orbital space tug in May 2004.

This agreement inked with Arianespace at the Berlin Air Show covers the initial flight of a CX OLEV™ in 2007, followed by four additional launches beginning in 2008. Orbital Recovery Ltd. will order further flights in sets of three missions.

The ConeXpress Orbital Life Extension Vehicle will be carried as a secondary payload on Ariane 5. Its liftoff mass will be approximately 1,200-1,400 kg. Developed by European industry, CX OLEV is designed to extend the useful lifetime of multi-million dollar telecommunications satellites by 10 years or more, and also is capable of rescuing satellites stranded in incorrect orbits.
“Ariane is known for setting the standards in commercial launch services, and we look forward to using Ariane 5 for our CX OLEV which will set the standards for the in-orbit servicing of telecommunications satellites,” said Phil Braden, Chief Executive Officer of Orbital Recovery Ltd.

Operating as an orbital “tugboat,” the CX OLEV will supply propulsion, navigation and guidance to maintain a telecom satellite in its proper orbital slot for many years. Currently, telecommunications spacecraft are placed in a graveyard orbit as they deplete their on-board propellant loads near the end of the typical 10-15-year operation lifetimes even though the satellites’ revenue-generating communications relay payloads continue to function.

Orbital Recovery Limited has identified more than 40 telecommunications satellites in orbit today that are candidates for life extension using the CX OLEV.

In addition, the CX OLEV can be deployed to rescue spacecraft that have been placed in a wrong orbit, or which have become stranded in an incorrect orbital location during positioning maneuvers.
“We are pleased to provide launch services for this very innovative spacecraft, which continues Arianespace’s policy of working with promising new payloads and their operators,” said Arianespace Chief Executive Officer Jean-Yves Le Gall. “The mission flexibility of Ariane 5, combined with our experience in handling multi-satellite payloads, will enable the CX OLEV to be launched when needed to serve Orbital Recovery Ltd.’s mission requirements.”

In an original approach to spacecraft design, the CX OLEV is manufactured from the payload adapter that is used on every Ariane 5 mission. This allows flight-proven hardware to serve as the CX OLEV structure, and opens regular launch opportunities for the space tug on Ariane 5.

Shaped like a truncated cone, the CX OLEV will continue to serve as a payload adapter for Ariane 5 missions, with the launcher’s primary satellite payload mounted atop it. Once the primary payload has been released, the CX OLEV will be deployed from the launcher to begin its own mission as an independent space tug. 
The industry team developing CX OLEV is led by the Netherlands’ Dutch Space, and includes Germany’s DLR German Aerospace Center and Kayser-Threde. Aon Space is providing insurance brokering and risk management services.

Orbital Recovery Ltd. recently initiated the B1 Phase of its program, which is funded by the company and the European Space Agency under its ARTES 4 Public-Private Partnership initiative.

Dutch Space Invests In Orbital Recovery (April 2004)

According to Orbital Recovery Ltd., the Netherlands-based Dutch Space has agreed to a major investment in the company. The contribution, the amount of which was not disclosed, will enable the ConeXpress Orbital Life Extension Vehicle to enter service in 2007.

ConeXpress will serve as an orbital “tugboat” – providing the propulsion, navigation and guidance required to maintain geostationary telecommunications satellites in their proper orbits for years beyond the normal fuel depletion period.

Orbital Recovery completes 2nd round financing for space tug (November 2004)

Orbital Recovery Ltd. has completed its second round financing for the ConeXpress Orbital Life Extension Vehicle (CX OLEV), which should allow for production of the first "space tug" to begin early next year, according to the company. Orbital Recovery now is fully funded.

I led the technical team to design the world's first commercial satellite servicing system. The technical team was based in Europe with Dutch Space, then Swedish Space as the prime contractor. Developed the technical baseline, developed the mission requirements document, and set the cost baseline for commercial viability. I was granted a patent (6,945,500, PTC patents 1654159, 6020040275026, and 1091789) for the cooperative operation of coupled spacecraft in GEO orbit.

Orbital Recovery Corporation Begins Development of Space “Tug” To Prolong the Lifetime of Operational Telecommunications Satellites (September 2002)

The Geosynch Spacecraft Life Extension System (SLES) is a novel concept that will significantly prolong the operating lifetimes of valuable telecommunications satellites- which today are junked when their on-board fuel supply runs out.

Definition work on the SLES has been completed by Orbital Recovery Corporation, which is now creating its industrial team by seeking competitive bids for spacecraft hardware and systems from international suppliers.

Orbital Recovery Corporation is unveiling the SLES this week at the World Summit for Satellite Financing in Paris, France, where the concept is being presented to telecommunications operators, satellite manufacturers, insurers and space industry contractors.

The SLES will operate as an orbital “tugboat,” supplying the propulsion, navigation and guidance to keep a telecom satellite in its proper orbital slot for many years. Another application is the rescue of spacecraft that have been placed in a wrong orbit by their launch vehicles, or which have become stranded in an incorrect orbital location during positioning maneuvers.

Telecommunications satellites typically cost $250 million – and they are designed for an average useful on-orbit life of 10-15 years. Once their on-board propellant load is depleted, the satellites are boosted into a disposal orbit and decommissioned even though their revenue-generating communications relay payloads continue to function.

“Today, there is no viable way to prolong the useful life of these very expensive and capable telecom satellites, resulting in the wasteful loss of valuable assets every year,” said Walt Anderson, a telecommunications industry entrepreneur and Orbital Recovery Corporation’s chief executive officer. “With the SLES, we have an effective solution that works with any satellite, and which requires no special interface for the on-orbit rendezvous and docking.”

The SLES is designed to easily mate with all telecommunications satellites now in space or on the drawing boards. After launch, the SLES will rendezvous with the telecommunications satellite, approaching it from below for docking. The linkup will use a proprietary docking device that connects to the telecom satellite’s apogee kick motor.

Control of the SLES will be handled by Orbital Recovery Corporation following its launch and during the initial free-flight phase. Docking and checkout of the SLES with its telecommunications satellite target will be a joint effort of Orbital Recovery Corporation and the telecom satellite operator. Once the docking and checkout has been completed, long-term control will be handed over to the satellite operator – with technical support and service by Orbital Recovery Corporation throughout the operating lifetime.

Orbital Recovery Corporation has identified more than 40 telecommunications satellites currently in orbit that are candidates for life extension using the SLES.

The company is targeting the first SLES mission for 2004, with two more deployments the following year and three annually after 2005.

Flight proven, off-the-shelf hardware will be used in production of the SLES spacecraft to keep costs down and ensure high reliability. The SLES will be built around a main bus that contains the spacecraft control/management systems and the primary ion propulsion system.

Ion thruster packs on deployable booms will provide attitude control for the SLES and the telecommunications satellite to which it is mated. These booms are extended to provide sufficient thruster impulse for control of the SLES/telecom satellite combination. Large deployable solar panels provide power for the SLES’ on-board systems, as well as for the ion propulsion system.

The SLES is sized for launch as a secondary payload on a large commercial vehicle such as Europe’s Ariane 5, or as a primary payload on an inexpensive launcher as the Russian Dnepr.

Orbital Recovery Corporation Offers Space Rescue for Stranded Astra 1K Telecommunications Satellite (December 2002)

Orbital Recovery Corporation has proposed an ambitious rescue plan for ASTRA 1K — one of the world’s largest telecommunications satellites, which was stranded in low Earth orbit last week after its launch vehicle malfunctioned.

The salvage mission would use Orbital Recovery Corp.’s new “space tug” — called the Geosynch Spacecraft Life Extension System (SLES™) — to boost ASTRA 1K from its current 290-km. circular orbit to the desired 35,000-km. operational altitude for telecom satellites.

Orbital Recovery Corp. has been in significant discussions with the stakeholders concerned with the future of the ASTRA 1K spacecraft, who have indicated a significant interest in the company’s proposed solution to recover this massive satellite for normal operation.

The SLES would be launched in approximately 20 months for a rendezvous and docking with ASTRA 1K. Once firmly attached to the stranded telecommunications satellite, the space tug will use its own propulsion system to raise ASTRA 1K’s altitude and reduce its inclination to the Clarke Belt orbital plane — allowing the spacecraft to function for up to its original 13-year expected mission lifetime in geostationary orbit.

“Our SLES is perfectly tailored for the rescue of ASTRA 1K, which is an extremely expensive asset that unfortunately is useless in its wrong orbit,” said Orbital Recovery Corp. Chief Executive Officer Walt Anderson. “We have run simulations of the rescue mission that validate its feasibility, and we are ready to work with SES ASTRA in Luxembourg and with the insurance sector to make the flight a reality.”

Definition work on the SLES has been completed by Orbital Recovery Corp., which is now creating its industrial team by seeking competitive bids for spacecraft hardware and systems from international suppliers. Earlier this month, the company announced its selection of the DLR German Aerospace Center’s robotic technology for the SLES docking and linkup with telecom satellites in orbit. In October, Aon Space joined the Orbital Recovery Corp. team to provide insurance brokering and risk management services.

The SLES is a modular spacecraft that can be adapted to operate with a full range of three-axis telecommunications satellites — from the small relay platforms to massive 5-metric ton spacecraft such as ASTRA 1K. Proven, off-the-shelf hardware will be used in production of the SLES to keep costs down and ensure high reliability. It will be built around a main bus that contains the spacecraft control/management systems and the primary ion propulsion system.

In addition to the rescue of stranded satellites, the SLES is designed to extend the operating lifetimes of telecommunications satellites in geostationary orbit that routinely are junked when their on-board fuel supply runs out. Orbital Recovery Corp. has identified more than 40 spacecraft currently in orbit that are candidates for life extension using the SLES.

The first SLES mission is targeted for 2004 on the ASTRA 1K rescue flight, with two more deployments the following year and three annually beginning in 2006.

CX-OLEV Vehicle

This was our first generation designed vehicle. Working with prime contractor Dutch Space, this vehicle would have flown as a secondary payload on an Ariane V launch.

The ConeXpress - Orbital Life Extension Vehicle (CX-OLEV) presents the operators of geostationary communications satellites ("comsats") with a pioneering opportunity to extend the revenue-earning life of their space assets by up to 10 years.

Orbital lifetime extension is of interest to comsat Clients whose satellites may be running low on propellant, or may be unable to perform attitude and orbit control due to onboard failures. CX-OLEV intercepts the Client's satellite in geostationary orbit, docks with it, and takes over its attitude and orbit control function. This is a seamless service which allows the Client to continue offering his communications services without interruption.

The CX-OLEV programme is co-funded by ESA and Orbital Recovery Ltd (ORL). The project has successfully completed its feasibility studies and is about to embark on the design and development phase. The first launch is slated for 2008.

The greatest operational and design challenge relates to the docking with an uncooperative spacecraft by remote control in geostationary orbit. By 'uncooperative' is meant a satellite that has not been designed for docking, in contrast to most other docking missions where both spacecraft involved are equipped with purpose-built hardware and software.

Commercial communications satellites fall into the uncooperative category, the more so as they wish to continue rendering their nominal services uninterrupted during docking. Fortunately, all comsats come equipped with apogee kick engines that are fired shortly after launch injection and are never used again.

CX-OLEV docks to the comsat by attaching itself firmly to the nozzle of the inert apogee kick engine. Another challenge is for CX-OLEV to approach the Client comsat from a distance without losing sight of it, shadowing its solar panels, or colliding with it. This so-called rendezvous is achieved by equipping CX-OLEV with a sophisticated set of orbital, attitude and optical sensors in conjunction with onboard and ground processing power. The feasibility of the mission and the attendant spacecraft design has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of ESA and ORL.

Following docking, CX-OLEV will perform the following services for a Client spacecraft weighing up to 2500 kg:

CX-OLEV is capable of multiple dockings and undockings, and is therefore ideally suited for the orbital management of individual spacecraft as well as satellite fleets.

CX-OLEV combines the double function of Ariane 5 launcher payload adapter and stand-alone spacecraft. The CX-OLEV spacecraft has a conical shape with a base dimension of 2.6 m, a height of 0.9 m and a maximal mass of 1400 kg. The solar wing span is about 15 m. The CX-OLEV spacecraft makes a unique use of electric propulsion from the moment of orbital injection after launch (in GTO) until it docks with the Client satellite in GEO. The spacecraft is 3-axis stabilised and a cold gas propulsion system completes the electric propulsion for attitude control, rendezvous and docking operations. There is no chemical propulsion onboard.

Electric energy is supplied by high-efficiency Gallium Arsenide solar cells mounted on six deployable solar panels. Telemetry, telecommand and ranging functions are performed via two hemispherical S-band antennas which together form an omnidirectional radiation pattern.

The onboard docking equipment consists of a capture tool that inserts a probe into the throat of the apogee motor of the Client satellite, locks itself to the throat by expanding the crown of the probe, and pulls the Client satellite back towards CX-OLEV by retracting the probe. The docking is consolidated with the aid of latching mechanisms. Undocking will be done in a reverse manner, after which the CX-OLEV can dock to a next Client S/C at a different location in the GEO arc.

The first CX-OLEV will be developed along classic protoflight lines. The process involves building or purchasing mostly flight-worthy prototype units, assembling these on a structure, and exposing the resulting satellite to qualification test levels for durations that are shorter than those required in a full design qualification programme. Adopting a protoflight approach is justified on the basis that all the satellite equipment either exists off-the-shelf or draws on well-established technology. Subsequent satellites will be built to flight standard and will undergo more lenient so-called acceptance testing, primarily to flush out workmanship issues.

The ConeXpress-Orbital Life Extension Vehicle (CX-OLEV) is a S/C for on-orbit servicing of fuel depleted GEO comsat and is based on the ConeXpress platform as developed under ESA/telecom by a European industrial team led by Dutch Space. The phase B1 as executed during 2004 has been succesfully closed with a baseline review by ESA and Orbital Recovery Ltd. Feasibility of CX-OLEV and the mission has been demonstrated and a baseline design has been established as well as the programmatics for the implementation phase. The first part of this implementation phase, a B2 phase ending with a Preliminary Design Review is envisaged to start April 2005.

SMART-OLEV

The image is the second generation design, with Swedish Space as the prime contractor for the mission. This unit had several improvements, including reduced mass, a wider range of client vehicles serviced, and based upon the heritage of ESA's SMART-1 lunar orbiter.

Status Comment / Notes

Dennis Wingo, CTO, has marked 2001 to 2006 as his active dates

In 2001 Skycorp founder Wingo Co-founded Orbital Recovery. This company was founded to develop the market for the on orbit servicing of GEO Communications Satellites. With funding provided by telecommunications billionaire Walter Anderson, the company moved quickly into this business, capturing customers and developing the technology necessary to succeed in the business. However, this project stalled when Mr. Anderson was arrested and later convicted of federal tax fraud. Dennis developed his second patent (6,945,500) during his tenure working with Orbital Recovery.

Link

Sources


Most sources should be linked in the texts and headings as revealed by mouse-over, but here are they listed for visibility.

[1] https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/abs/10.2514/6.2004-6118

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