Low-Cost In-Space Assembly System for Modular Satellites

Currently, due to mass and size constraints, larger satellites cannot take advantage of the flexible and rapid launch opportunities offered by being a secondary payload on rideshare missions using ESPA port interfaces. This limitation means that larger satellites, including those with valuable observation and tracking sensors that may require large apertures or long focal lengths, are often left to rely on more expensive and less frequent launch opportunities to reach orbit as a primary payload. Momentus Inc. (Momentus) has partnered with Honeybee Robotics to propose a solution that we believe will grant larger satellites the same flexible and rapid launch opportunities available to small satellites by allowing them to become secondary payloads on rideshare missions as modular segments. The proposed solution will use a low-cost robotic arm attached to a Momentus Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) to perform autonomous in-space assembly of these modular large satellite segments across multiple ports on the same ESPA ring. The solution also has potentially far-reaching benefits as a cornerstone to developing rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) capabilities and enabling space logistics services for future Momentus platforms, such as on-orbit servicing, refueling, and assembly.