Geosynchronous Earth Orbit Robotic Servicer Mission Design

Abstract

The problem of mission design for a robotic servicing satellite in geosynchronous Earth orbit was investigated. A representative set of potential client satellites was selected, and operational needs were randomly assigned based on the average number of geosynchronous Earth orbit retirements, anomalies, and repositioning maneuvers that currently occur each year. Objective functions were developed to represent the value of servicing mission sequences, including client fees, time penalties, and operational risk. A genetic algorithm was then used to find sequences of operations on the potential client set that maximized the objective functions’ value. Scenarios were analyzed with the database of satellites as well as with varying operation risks and a dynamic client model. Sequences that began with repair operations and later included refuel, observation, repair, and retirement maneuvers were found to be the most valuable, with some differences in the optimal sequences depending on parameter values in the objective function.