Micro-satellite based, on-orbit servicing work at the Air Force Research Laboratory

On-orbit servicing can dramatically reduce the life cycle cost, and increase the utility, of expensive space assets. However, previous servicing attempts have generally been too large, complex, and expensive to be effective. Newer, streamlined approaches, such as the Air Force's Modular On-orbit Servicing (MOS) concept, might make on-orbit servicing feasible. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is developing many of the technologies required for the MOS concept. AFRL's Experimental Satellite System (XSS) demonstration program is developing technologies for the micro-satellites that are at the core of the MOS concept. AFRL is also working on many of the supporting technologies for MOS. This paper describes the XSS program, how it will develop the micro-satellite technologies required for MOS, how other AFRL programs will provide additional technologies, and what technologies must still be developed to make on-orbit servicing a reality.