JSC News Release Log 1990/90-008
Proposals Sought for Satellite Servicer Flight Demonstration
NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, has issued a call for proposals for requirement definition studies and preliminary design for a Satellite Servicer System flight demonstration.
The Satellite Servicer System flight demonstration will show the ability to maintain satellites in locations not readily accessible to humans (e.g., polar and high inclination orbits), to permit hazardous servicing, to reduce Space Transportation System extravehicular activity dependency and to improve cost efficiencies.
The system will be used in a three-phase, on-orbit flight demonstration launched from the Space Shuttle orbiter. The demonstration will exercise autonomous rendezvous and docking, orbital replacement unit exchange and fluid transfer capabilities, and will use existing technologies, including the Orbital Manuevering Vehicle and elements of the flight Telerobotic Servicer, to minimize costs and reduce technical risks.
The flight demonstration Phase B studies, estimated at $1.3 million each, will include the design and definition of the servicer system, a target vehicle, and ground and on-orbit control stations. Two firm, fixed-price, Phase B contracts, with a 12-month period of performance, are expected to be awarded this summer. Responses to the request for proposals, released Jan. 19, are due March 5.
Phase B project managment resides at JSC's New Initiatives office, Satellite Servicing Project Office.