Northrop Grumman Delivers Fluid Transfer, Propulsion Systems To Phantom Works

ROCKET SCIENCE

illustration only

Redondo Beach, CA (SPX) Jul 21, 2005
Northrop Grumman Corporation has delivered the fluid-transfer and propulsion systems to Boeing Phantom Works in Seal Beach, Calif., for the Orbital Express mission, which is designed to demonstrate the various technologies required for autonomous satellite servicing while on-orbit.

The Orbital Express Advanced Technology Demonstration is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency program with the objective of demonstrating the capability to autonomously service satellites while on-orbit. Boeing is the prime contractor and Northrop Grumman is one of the team members.

"The ability to refuel and upgrade spacecraft on-orbit, or to move stranded satellites into their correct orbits, could represent a revolutionary change in space operations for both commercial and military users," said Tom Romesser, vice president of Technology Development for Northrop Grumman Space Technology.

"Our deep experience in spacecraft propulsion systems will help ensure the success of this demonstration project, which holds great potential for space exploration."

The Boeing team will build the Autonomous Space Transfer and Robotic Orbiter (ASTRO) satellite and, with a surrogate serviceable satellite named NextSat (built by team member Ball Aerospace), will conduct an on-orbit demonstration of autonomous satellite servicing, with launch set for 2006.

The Northrop Grumman-provided hardware onboard ASTRO will demonstrate autonomous transfer of hydrazine propellant, a type of liquid rocket fuel, to and from the NextSat spacecraft, in addition to providing the propulsion needed for six-degree-of-freedom vehicle control.

The fluid-transfer payload aboard the NextSat spacecraft allows a variety of client configurations to be simulated over multiple on-orbit fluid-transfer demonstrations.

The program contractor team comprises Boeing (ASTRO vehicle, automated rendezvous and docking, system prime), Ball Aerospace (NextSat spacecraft), Northrop Grumman (fluid-transfer system, servicing-vehicle propulsion system), MDAssociates (servicing-vehicle robotic arm), Starsys Research (capture mechanism), and Draper Laboratory (mission-manager software).

ROCKET SCIENCE

Ground Test Of Cryogenic Stage For GSLV In October

New Delhi, India (SPX) Jul 18, 2005
Thiruvananthapuram: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will carry out the first ground test of its indigenously fabricated cryogenic stage for the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) in October.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.