Aspects on On-Orbit Servicing

Authors:

  • Eva Bernhardsdotter

Publish date: 2013-02-25

Report number: FOI-R--3640--SE

Pages: 44

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • space
  • on-orbit servicing
  • space law
  • satellite
  • arms control
  • antisatellite weapon

Abstract

On-orbit servicing represents a capability driven by government agencies as well as commercial actors in space. The capability to service satellites in orbit carries implications when it comes to regulation, space law, liability and national security concerns. It seems that the technology that enables on-orbit servicing has outpaced diplomacy and space law as the way to manage these activities in space is obscure. In particular, the residual capability as an antisatellite weapon renders on-orbit servicing technology a subject matter for arms control in space. The purpose of this report is to describe the features of on-orbit servicing and to outline the various aspects of this. In addition, an account of the DARPA conference on on-orbit servicing in 2012 is provided.