ORU-BOAS: Developing Reusable Building Blocks For Satellite Modularisation

Kurzfassung

In-Orbit Servicing (IOS) and In Space Manufacturing and Assembly (ISMA) present sustainable opportunities for the future of space exploration. In the past years, many efforts have been made to advance the building blocks required for these missions. In this paper, SENER Aeroespacial presents the concept of the project ORU-BOAS, a new approach in IOS and ISMA for the future of robotic missions. The project aims to develop a standard module called ORU-BOAS (Orbital Replacement Unit-Based on Building Blocks for Advanced Assembly of Space Systems) for European Robotic scenarios. This module will allow the assembly, repair, or upgrade of space infrastructures directly in orbit for a wide range of missions, including life extension, refuelling, or de-orbiting. The ORU-BOAS will be able to hold a variety of payloads for such scenarios, providing a Standard Interface as the mechanical link, as well as electrical, data, and/or fluid transfer between modules. The Standard Interfaces will be based on previous developments made along the PERASPERA roadmap. The purpose of the project is to define the most versatile ORU to bring a functional capacity to a bigger system. The ORU-BOAS is composed of an ORU platform, with all the common elements for integration of the payload; an ORU payload, depending on the mission of the module; and Standard Interfaces that allow interconnection of ORU-BOAS to other ORU-BOAS (to form larger space systems), satellites, space stations, or robotic arms among others. ORU-BOAS provides the opportunity to address modularity and adaptability from the conception of the space system. It will allow customizable satellites while maintaining the standardization that allows robotic cooperation. SENER Aeroespacial leads the consortium including Thales Alenia Space, ISISPACE, EASN, and DLR. The roadmap of the project consists of developing a TRL 6 model by the end of 2024, which will then continue towards an In-Orbit Demonstration. Copyright © 2023 by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). All rights reserved.