Department of Remote sensing, University of South Australia, 133 Antill Street, Downer, ACT, Australia
Research Article
Viability of On-Orbit Servicing Spacecraft to Prolong the Operational
Life of Satellites
Author(s): Isabella R. Hatty*
This research paper is an extensive literature review and data analysis on the viability of On-Orbit Servicing (OOS)
spacecraft to prolong the operational life of satellites. A systematic analysis of the Union of Concerned Scientists
(UCS) Satellite Database found that Sentinel 1A and 1B orbit at approximately the same height as Landsat 7
(~700 km) and have a collective propellant mass (Mprop) of 308 kg which is less than Landsat 7’s 544 kg. The On-
Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (OSAM) 1 spacecraft has the capacity to refuel both Sentinels as an
alternative option to Landsat 7. For OSAM 1 to refuel Landsat 7, it is $261.91M cheaper than replacement and the
more economically viable and sustainable option. OSAM 1 will mitigate the immediate problem of space debris.
However, a new model of standardized cooperative sate.. View more»