NASA SBIR 01-1 Solicitation

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
The cost of building and launching satellites limits the number of assets that can be placed in orbit. This makes it critical for the asset to have as long a lifetime as possible to reduce the replacement rate. A propellent depot has become an integral part of most plans for providing on-orbit refueling. The effort proposed here is for an analysis of several very promising fluid storage, transfer and management techniques as well as the autonomous requirements involved with operating a cryogenic propellent depot on orbit. Based on this analysis, a conceptual design for an autonomous cryogenic fluid storage and transfer system will be generated along with a development and testing plan for Phase II. The advantages of an on-orbit propellant depot have been identified, most recently for the Orbital Express program. For example, there is a growing requirement to give satellites the ability to maneuver to new orbits on a regular basis. The ability of a satellite to change orbits on a regular basis makes it less vulnerable to attack, allows it to be repositioned to observe new crisis areas, and reduces the need for multiple-satellite constellations to provide global coverage.

POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Since the amount of fuel that a satellite can carry is limited by launch costs and weight limitations, the ability to refuel a satellite on-orbit is the only method available to increase its useful lifetime. The customer base for the space segment includes both the government and private sectors. NASA and DOD will be the initial customers for this technology until new satellite architectures evolve to allow on-orbit servicing. Ultimately, however, the satellite manufacturers will purchase the servicing portion of the systems for their satellites.

NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (Name, Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Peter Tchoryk, Jr.
Michigan Aerospace Corporation
1050 Highland Drive, Suite E
Ann Arbor , MI   48108 - 2262

NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Michigan Aerospace Corporation
1050 Highland Drive, Suite E
Ann Arbor , MI   48108 - 2262