Abstract
Recent growth in space activities has led to increased interest in on-orbit refueling and repositioning (OORR) systems. Despite this interest, limited analysis has been conducted to quantify their anticipated impacts. Using the Advanced Technology Roadmap Architecture, this work evaluates the state of progression of OORR systems by incorporating historical technologies, stakeholder relationships, and technical and financial modeling. The results of this analysis aim to inform future design considerations for OORR systems that are rooted in a novel dataset of historical, current, and future refueling and repositioning systems. To capture the client–servicer relationship of these technologies, a new method of developing and validating figures of merit (FOMs) based on adjoined client–servicer needs is introduced. This process identifies OORR-enabling technologies, expanded applications, projected maturation rates, and FOMs to quantitatively track technological progression. Historic client lifetime extension rates between 30 and 39% and timelines greater than 2 years to receive maneuverability servicing were found alongside projected fuel mass ratios of 46–54% and average costs of $277k–$290k per kilogram of fuel launched on servicing systems over the coming decade. Overall, it is shown that OORR technologies are in a phase of rapid development progress and offer prospective performance and financial benefits to on-orbit users.
Published Version
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