Mission Overview

Orbital Express (OE) is paving the way for on-orbit servicing of communication, military, and scientific satellites. Using small, unmanned, autonomous robotics, OE has created a new architecture and interface standard for maintenance, repair, and refueling of client satellites.

The Orbital Express Demonstration mission will demonstrate each of the critical technologies required for on-orbit satellite servicing.

• Autonomous satellite rendezvous and proximity operations
• Autonomous capture and mating
• Autonomous refueling and Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU) installation
• Autonomous client spacecraft video survey

Orbital Express comprises two distinct spacecraft, launched together aboard an Atlas V rocket. The ASTRO spacecraft, equipped with advanced robotics, contains all the Orbital Replacement Units and consumables for delivery to the client satellite. The client satellite, called NEXTSat, serves a dual role as both a satellite in need of fuel and servicing, and a supply depot for the servicing spacecraft.