Orbital Express Autonomous Rendezvous and Capture Sensor System (ARCSS) flight test results

Manny R. Leinz; Chih-Tsai Chen; Michael W. Beaven; Thomas P. Weismuller; David L. Caballero; William B. Gaumer; Peter W. Sabasteanski; Peter A. Scott; Mark A. Lundgren

doi:10.1117/12.779595

1 May 2008 Orbital Express Autonomous Rendezvous and Capture Sensor System (ARCSS) flight test results

Manny R. Leinz, Chih-Tsai Chen, Michael W. Beaven, Thomas P. Weismuller, David L. Caballero, William B. Gaumer, Peter W. Sabasteanski, Peter A. Scott, Mark A. Lundgren

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6958, Sensors and Systems for Space Applications II; 69580A (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.779595
Event: SPIE Defense and Security Symposium, 2008, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

The Orbital Express flight demonstration was established by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop and validate key technologies required for cost-effective servicing of next-generation satellites. A contractor team led by Boeing Advanced Network and Space Systems built two mated spacecraft launched atop an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on March 8, 2007. The low earth orbit test flight demonstrated on orbit transfer of hydrazine propellant, transfer of a spare battery between spacecraft and the ability to replace a spacecraft computer on orbit. It also demonstrated autonomous rendezvous and capture (AR&C) using advanced sensor, guidance, and relative navigation hardware and software. This paper summarizes the results of the on-orbit performance testing of the ARCSS (Autonomous Rendezvous and Capture Sensor System). ARCSS uses onboard visible, infrared and laser rangefinder sensors to provide real time data and imagery to the onboard sensor computer. The Boeing-developed Vis-STAR software executing on the sensor computer uses the ARCSS data to provide precision real-time client bearing, range and attitude as needed, from long range to soft capture. The paper summarizes the ARCSS and Vis-STAR on orbit performance.

Citation Download Citation

Manny R. Leinz, Chih-Tsai Chen, Michael W. Beaven, Thomas P. Weismuller, David L. Caballero, William B. Gaumer, Peter W. Sabasteanski, Peter A. Scott, and Mark A. Lundgren "Orbital Express Autonomous Rendezvous and Capture Sensor System (ARCSS) flight test results", Proc. SPIE 6958, Sensors and Systems for Space Applications II, 69580A (1 May 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.779595

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