Extending the orbital services model beyond computing, communications and sensing

An orbital services model has previously been proposed which is conceptualized in terms of providing orbital services related to a remote sensing mission, typical of a sensornet (e.g., computing, communications and sensing services). This model, however, can be extended to support additional services provided in the orbital environment, which could become available in the near to mid-term future. Examples of these services include power (such as might be provided by a solar power satellite), physical servicing (such as described by the DARPA Phoenix project and others), orbital maneuvering or raising and actuation of other remote craft capabilities. This paper considers the prospective mission capabilities that could be delivered by third-party providers and presents a collaborative mission approach based on the use of these orbital services, instead of or in addition to onboard craft capabilities. It also considers a virtual orbital mission, where an organization conducts a space mission without physically building, launching or owning a space asset, through the use of service procurement from vendors. A pathway to the implementation of this orbital services model is discussed highlighting technical, legal and commercial hurdles that must be overcome to enable this mission approach. A qualitative evaluation of the benefits that could prospectively be provided is undertaken. Also included is a value model which could be used to quantitatively evaluate the approach's suitability (benefits versus costs) for a particular mission concept.