SQ has new program to convert space debris into space resources

Plotner, 10/25/11
Bringing satellites out of retirement -The DARPA Phoenix program

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-10-satellites-the-

darpa-phoenix
October 25, 2011 by Tammy Plotner, Universe Today

Its the dead zone. Approximately 22,000 miles above the Earth, $300 million worth of retired

satellites are simply taking up space in geosynchronous orbit. Like anything a bit elderly, they might have
problems, but theyre far from useless. There are a hundred willing volunteers waiting to be retrofitted, and all they need is the wave of a magic wand to come back to life. The

DARPA Phoenix program might just be the answer. Communication

satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) enable vital interchanges between warfighters. When one fails, it means an expensive replacement.

its still a viable piece of equipment which often contains still usable antennae, solar arrays and other components. The only problem is that we havent figured out a way to recycle them. Now DARPAs Phoenix program is offering an answer by developing the technology necessary to harvest these non-working satellites and their working parts. If this program is successful, space debris becomes space resource, said DARPA Director, Regina E. Dugan.
But what remains isnt a burned-out shell
However, as easy as the idea might sound, its going to take a lot of cooperation from a variety of applied sciences. For example, incorporating the robotics which allows a doctor to perform telesurgery from a remote location to the advanced remote imaging systems used for offshore drilling which views the ocean floor thousands of feet underwater. If this technology could be re-engineered to work at zero gravity, high-vacuum and under an intense radiation environment, its entirely possible to re-purpose retired GEO satellites. Satellites in GEO are not designed to be disassembled or repaired, so its not a matter of simply removing some nuts and bolts, said David Barnhart, DARPA program manager. This requires new remote imaging and robotics technologyand special tools to grip, cut, and modify complex systems, since existing joints are usually molded or welded. Another challenge is developing new remote operating procedures to hold two parts together so a third robotic hand can join them with a third part, such as a fastener, all in zero gravity. For a person operating such robotics, the complexity is similar to trying to assemble via remote control multiple Legos at the same time while looking through a telescope.

DARPA's new Phoenix Program solves space Debris and Global commons
Plotner, 10/25/11
Bringing satellites out of retirement -The DARPA Phoenix program

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-10-satellites-the-

darpa-phoenix
October 25, 2011 by Tammy Plotner, Universe Today

Now enter DARPAs System F6 the master satellite. It will host affordable, smaller scale electronics and structural models that provide on-board control. These smaller units will be able to communicate with each other and the master satellite working together to harness the potential of the retired satellites assets. Right now, the Phoenix program is looking for the automation technology for creating a new breed of satlets, or nanosatellites. These can be sent into space much more economically through existing commercial satellite launches and then robotically attached to the elderly satellites to create new systems.
System F6 (Future, Fast, Flexible, Fractionated, Free-Flying Spacecraft United by Information Exchange) will be fascinating in itself a hive of wirelessly-interconnected modules capable of communicating with each other sharing resources among themselves and utilizing resources found elsewhere within the cluster. The program is predicated on the

development of open interface standardsfrom the physical wireless link layer through the network protocol stack, including the real-time resource sharing middleware and cluster flight logicto enable the emergence of a space global commons which would enhance the mutual security posture of all participants through interdependence. says the DARPA team. A key program goal is the industry-wide promulgation of these open interface standards for the sustainment and development of future fractionated systems.

Right now the Phoenix program is looking for high tech expertise needed to develop a payload orbital delivery system . The PODS units will be needed to safely house the satlets during launch. The next step is an independent servicing station which will be placed in GEO and connected to PODS. The service module will be home to equipment such as mechanical arms and remote vision systems the virtual operating center to make the DARPA Phoenix program a success.

DARPA= Defense advanced research project agency

Space debris non unique, China just launched unmanned spacecraft a few days ago
The Telegraph Nov. 2011
Friday 04 November 2011

china said it successfully launched an unmanned spacecraft on Tuesday to carry out a key docking mission, taking its next step towards the goal of building its first space station by 2020. before 2016, China plans to launch a space laboratory and by around 2020 hopes to have a space station in orbit capable of accommodating long-term stays in space, officials have said. China's space station will be made up of the module, two laboratories, a cargo ship and a manned rocket, with a total weight of 60 tonnes, compared with 137 tonnes for the Russian station Mir and 419 tonnes for the International Space Station (ISS), state media have said.

This is china's second launch since Sept.

BBC Nov. 1st 2011 http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/15540004
china has launched a spacecraft into orbit as part of its plan to build a space station by 2020.The Shenzhou 8 travelled into space on top of a rocket on Monday.The spacecraft will try and join up with a space lab, the Tiangong-1, which was launched by China in September.

Non Unique-French satellites launched in October

space.com oct.2011 Spaceflight Now Staff Date: 07 October 2011 http://www.space.com/13232-china-rocket-launches-french-satellite-w3c.html A French communications satellite destined to serve markets in a swath from Europe to the Indian Ocean launched on top of a Chinese Long March rocket Friday. ... "Our sincere appreciation to Great Wall Industry Corporation for the excellent performance of this launch, and to Thales Alenia Space for their dedication to this sophisticated and challenging program," said Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat. "This is a new milestone, achieved only 14 days after the launch of our Atlantic Bird 7 satellite." Atlantic Bird 7 was placed in orbit by a Sea Launch Zenit 3SL rocket Sept. 24 to serve Africa and the Middle East.

Russia launched 3 new satellites on Nov. 4th Clark ' Nov.4th 2011
Proton rocket replenishes Russian navigation system BY STEPHEN CLARK SPACEFLIGHT NOW Posted: November 3, 2011 Updated: November 4, 2011 http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1111/03proton/

A Proton launcher rocketed into orbit Friday with three Glonass navigation satellites for the Russian government, delivering reinforcements for the military-run fleet of positioning and timing spacecraft....Friday's launch was the 370th flight of a Proton rocket since it entered service in 1965. It was the seventh Proton mission this year.