Orbital maneuvering vehicle: A new capability

Abstract

The Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) is a reusable, remotely controlled, free-flying vehicle being developed by NASA to perform a wide range of on-orbit missions and services in support of orbiting spacecraft. The OMV is capable of satellite delivery, retrieval, reboost, controlled deorbit, viewing, and subsatellite support missions. It is an important extension to the Space Transportation System and a key element of the Space Station operational scenario. The OMV can operate from the Shuttle, the Space Station, or can be space based. The OMV, being 15 ft in diameter and approximately 4 1 2 thick, mounts directly into the Shuttle payload bay. The vehicle design is highly modular, consisting of a Short Range Vehicle containing both hydrazine and cold gas RCS systems and all the avionics systems for electrical power, communications, data management, guidance, navigation, and 6-degree of freedom control. This vehicle weighs approximately 6,500 lb and can accomplish a high percentage of the project missions. For high delta-velocity missions, a bipropellant Propulsion Module (approximately 11,000lb) is added, giving a total weight of 17,500 lb. This module can be exchanged on orbit to effect bipropellant refueling. All the RCS and avionics modules are replaceable on orbit for maintenance. The OMV development program was initiated in 1986 with the selection of TRW as the prime contractor. The first flight is projected for 1991. An early planned use of OMV is to reboost the Hubble Space Telescope when required because of atmospheric drag. This paper contains details of the program status, vehicle description, and mission capabilities. The purpose of the paper is to acquaint the international space community with OMV capabilities and to stimulate the identification of new and unique mission applications.