Boeing touts Orbital Express success.

Boeing says the four-month in-orbit demonstration of the Orbital Express system was an unqualified success. The mission, sponsored and led by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to validate on-orbit servicing technologies, tested the system from March 8 to July 2. Orbital Express met or exceeded all of its test objectives to become the world's first spacecraft capable of performing autonomous on-orbit servicing functions.

With the successful demonstration of Orbital Express, Boeing says it has shown that it can provide satellite customers with a capability to extend spacecraft lifespan through refueling and component replacement, and offer robotic support for space operations. Orbital Express consists of the Autonomous Space Transport Robotic Operations (ASTRO) servicing spacecraft developed by Boeing. Ball Aerospace's NextSat served as a prototypical modular next-generation serviceable client spacecraft.

The demonstration comprised eight scenarios that were performed in different lighting conditions and approaches. Mated operations included battery and fuel transfers and computer replacement. Unmated operations involved separation of the spacecraft to various ranges, far-and near-field rendezvous, proximity operations, approach, capture and mate. The demonstration successfully validated Boeing's Autonomous Rendezvous and Capture Sensor System. The system identified NextSat more than 400 kilometers away, enabling ASTRO to approach within a few meters of NextSat while determining its exact position, attitude and best mating location. Boeing sees many applications and benefits of on-orbit servicing and proximity operations that can be accomplished by Orbital Express. In addition to spacecraft fuel and component replenishment, the open standard interfaces such as the docking and re-fueling systems enable increased value and utility for next-generation spacecraft. The advanced robotic arm can support precision robotics work, on-orbit assembly or contingency operations and can be used to move satellites into proper orbit or position satellites and space debris for safe de-orbit. Orbital Express also supports Operationally Responsive Space needs. DARPA de-commissioned Orbital Express in mid-July.