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The geostationary orbit in many cases is not cleared from non-operational GEO satellites at the end of their mission lifetime. However, the resulting growth in space debris will pose an increasing collision risk for GEO spacecraft in the future. This paper is based on an ESA study entitled RObotic GEostationary orbit Restorer (ROGER), which investigates the technical and economical feasibility of a robotic servicing satellite for the GEO orbit. Several categories of possible servicing tasks are discussed. The basic technical feasibility of a rendezvous and docking with an uncontrolled target have been proven in previous studies. With this technology spent satellites can be removed from the GEO by a dedicated service satellite. The selected mission scenario for ROGER focuses on the re-orbiting of a multiple number of end-of-life GEO satellites, thus providing a service for the satellite operators. Described is the innovative overall technical solution, which has been developed for the ROGER satellite system. The technical approach features a minimum use of complex robotic elements, thus providing a cost-effective solution. The technical details include the grappling equipment of ROGER, its attitude and orbit control subsystems and the guidance, navigation & control (GNC) subsystem. 54th International Astronautical Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, the International Academy of Astronautics, and the International Institute of Space Law 29 September 3 October 2003, Bremen, Germany IAC-03-U.1.02 Copyright © 2003 by the International Astronautical Federation. All rights reserved. |
