Smart Escort Microsatellite: A Modular Solution for On-Orbit Rendezvous and Inspection

"AeroAstro proposes to develop a scaleable architecture for a low cost, rapid response Smart Escort Microsatellite inspection and servicing system that will support the needs of the United States military's current and planned space assets, while workingwithin the constraints of the RASCAL program. Instead of competing with other, large infrastructure on orbit servicing programs, this effort will support them by adding an otherwise deficient service layer of functionality and capability to complementtheir own missions. The overall objective of this program is to design a candidate Smart Escort Microsatellite architecture that can be launched on the RASCAL system, can transfer from an initial to a target orbit, is capable of proximity maneuvers aroundspace asset, and provide investigation, logistics, or potential counterintelligence and tactical capability to the United States military. Within these overarching goals, the program seeks to fill in the gaps of existing development by focusing on thelaunch vehicle compatibility and orbit transfer aspects of a logistics servicing mission, as well as the assessment of viable payloads and mission concepts that could be levied upon a SEM. Small Escort Microsatellite technology has a variety of potentialcustomers, both government and commercial. Government customers could use the SEM for a number of different applications; satellite failure diagnostics, standoff SIGINT and ELINT analysis on u