Abstract: Microcosm’s patented Orbit Control Kit (OCK) derives from the company’s long-term commitment to transfer to the spacecraft, from the ground, those operations that are better performed by an on-board system. This approach will lead to efficiencies in ground...
Abstract: The concept of utilizing pulsars for spacecraft navigation has been in development since the discovery of these rapidly rotating neutron stars in the 1960’s [1]. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) conducted studies in the 70’s and 80’s proposing the use of...
Abstract: Autonomous on-orbit servicing of satellites leads to a significant savings in mission life-cycle costs, especially for expensive satellites and for expensive satellite systems composed of many satellites, such as constellations or close formations. The...
Abstract: Microcosm, under Air Force Research Laboratory (Space Vehicles Directorate) and internal funding, developed and flew the first fully autonomous, on-board orbit determination and in-track and cross-track control system. Results show the technology maintaining...
Abstract: Fully autonomous, on-board orbit control was flight demonstrated on UoSAT-12. This technology was developed to reduce operations cost. It does this using less propellant than traditional orbit maintenance, but also opens a new array of potential mission...