Capture of Uncontrolled Satellites: A Flight Demonstration

NASA is presently exploring concepts , systems, and devices for capturing uncontrolled or non-operational satellites. Understanding of this type capture involves development of requirements and options, analyses of approaches, and extensive ground simulations. The verification of an approach is expected to require flight demonstrations of the concepts and hardware to assure confidence in application. This paper addresses a flight demonstration involving the Shuttle, an Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) , a capture mechanism, and a target vehicle capable of providing characteristic motion. A mission scenario is projected which demonstrates a capture concept, mission sequencing, capture vehicle potential, and overall capture possibilities with man-in- the-loop control. The proposed demonstration is considered a stepping stone to more demanding capture requirements. On-orbit activities are deliberately constrained to existing technology and projected systems and hardware capability for the year 1990.