Orbital Recovery Says All The Pieces Are In Place
Orbital Recovery says
it's formally initiated the development of its ConeXpress ORS space
tug in a program leading to the start of full-scale production this
September, and the first launch in 2007.
The go-ahead was confirmed by last week’s initiation of
the Phase B1 leading to preliminary design review, which is backed
by private and European Space Agency funding for the Dutch
Space-led industrial team. ESA is participating through its ARTES 4
public-private partnership program, in which the multinational
organization provides matching funds for the spacecraft’s
development.
"We are delighted to have passed this extremely important
milestone, which had moved the company from its pre-operating phase
into the mainstream," said Philip Braden, the Chief Executive
Officer of Orbital Recovery Ltd. "Our industrial team -- which
includes Arianespace, the German Space Agency, Kayser-Threde and
others -- is now in place, and is fully involved in the development
activity."
The marketing campaign for ConeXpress ORS also is moving into
full swing, with discussions underway with several operators for
early missions of the space tug. Allocation of flight opportunities
has begun, and the initial launch slots are in the process of being
assigned, Braden added.
When operational, ConeXpress ORS will serve as an orbital
"tugboat" -- providing the propulsion, navigation and guidance
required to maintain telecommunications satellites in their proper
orbits for years beyond the normal fuel depletion.
ConeXpress’ ORS primary mission will be to prolong the
in-service lifetimes of expensive geostationary orbit
telecommunications satellites, which currently are junked when
their on-board fuel supply runs out. The space tug also can be used
to rescue spacecraft that have become stranded during orbital
positioning maneuvers.
Holland’s Dutch
Space was selected last November as the ConeXpress ORS prime
contractor. This decision that followed an international survey of
candidate space hardware manufacturers.
Dutch Space will build the space tug based on a design it
conceived for the payload adapter used on every mission of
Arianespace’s Ariane 5 launcher. This enables flight-proven
hardware to serve as the structure for ConeXpress ORS, and ensures
regular launch opportunities on Ariane 5.
ConeXpress ORS is designed to easily mate with all
telecommunications spacecraft now in space or on the drawing
boards.
After launch, the space tug will rendezvous with the target
telecommunications satellite, approaching it from below for
docking. ConeXpress ORS will link up with the satellite using
docking and robotic technology developed in cooperation with
Germany’s DLR Institute for Robotics and Mechatronics. Aon
Space is providing insurance brokering and risk management
services.