Bringing Satellites Out Of Retirement – The DARPA Phoenix Program

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It’s 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 they’re 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. But what remains isn’t a burned-out shell – it’s still a viable piece of equipment which often contains still usable antennae, solar arrays and other components. The only problem is that we haven’t figured out a way to recycle them. Now DARPA’s 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.

However, as easy as the idea might sound, it’s 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, it’s entirely possible to re-purpose retired GEO satellites.

“Satellites in GEO are not designed to be disassembled or repaired, so it’s not a matter of simply removing some nuts and bolts,” said David Barnhart, DARPA program manager. “This requires new remote imaging and robotics technology and 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.”

Now enter DARPA’s 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 satellite’s 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.

Artist Concept of System F6 - Credit: DARPA

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 standards—from the physical wireless link layer through the network protocol stack, including the real-time resource sharing middleware and cluster flight logic—to 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.

Original News Source: DARPA News Release.
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7 Replies to “Bringing Satellites Out Of Retirement – The DARPA Phoenix Program”

  1. Yo Tammy, at the first paragraph, in the fourth sentence, since the subject is plural, it should be “There are”, not “There’s”.

  2. He grins and grunts and says… I’ve spoken several times in this room about reusing defunct top secret on-orbit assets, especially large mirrored Hubble lookalikes like the ‘Keyhole’/KH-12 satellites. Why not send a robot to repair and attach a booster rocket to them, then send the refurbished *.sat to Mars or ?

    Of course this article only hints at similar and most likely the satellites targeted in this program are RF eavesdropping stations more often than optical surveillance *.sats… BUT, one of the behemoth (School bus size) SARS or ASARS radar *.sats. could be used to penetrate Martian soils! No problemo ~ and would definitely be a worthwhile project!

    Is anybody listening?

  3. Using old satellites as junk yard is a bit more inventive than repairing them. But it is still as unrealistic. The concept builds on having nanosatellites and their fuel having much less mass than the salvaged components to balance cost.

    As a comparison, IIRC ~ 99 % or more of patents doesn’t pay off. Call it a long shot [sic!].

  4. SKYNET~ “a hive of wirelessly-interconnected modules capable of communicating with each other – sharing resources among themselves and utilizing resources found elsewhere within the cluster.”

    ‘^.^,

  5. What about a mission or missions to determine which defunct satellites have the best potential to have at least their power supply (solar) repaired. Then you could launch these nano-satellites (very minimal mass) that could then utilize the repaired, defunct, satellite’s power supply. So not a wholesale re-purposing, more of a “cannibalization” of what is there that can be made to work with minimal effort.

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