Conceptual Architecture Planning for Manned Geo Satellite Servicing

In an effort to quantify the feasibility of candidate space architectures for manned geostationary (GEO) satellite servicing (MGS), NASA and DARPA have teamed up with the Aerospace Vehicle Design (AVD) Laboratory at the University of Texas Arlington (UTA) in order to provide a conceptual assessment of architecture/concept of operations/technology combinations.The primary challenge has been the exploration of past, present, and future in-space investments in the context of mission performance, mission complexity, and industrial capability.Consequently, this study necessitated the use of a simulation capability to assess and visualize the physical design drivers and sensitivities of the operational and technical domain.The overall goal of the study has been the development of a system with the capability to transfer payload to and from GEO.To this end the following concepts of operations (ConOp) have been studied: direct insertion/reentry (ConOp 1), and launch to low earth orbit (LEO), at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) inclination angle, with an orbital transfer to/from GEO (ConOp 2).The technology elements traded varied between hardware for in-space maneuvers, aero-assisted maneuvers, and reentry vehicles.