Photos: DARPA's Futuristic Phoenix Satellite Recycling Project
DARPA Phoenix Artist's Concept
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) describes the Phoenix program: "The goal of the Phoenix program is to develop and demonstrate technologies to cooperatively harvest and re-use valuable components from retired, nonworking satellites in GEO and demonstrate the ability to create new space systems at greatly reduced cost."
DARPA Phoenix Satellite Tender Services Nonworking Satellite
An illustration shows how the proposed DARPA satellite tender would modify a nonworking satellite on orbit.
DARPA Phoenix Viewscreen Concept
A DARPA illustration appears to depict a viewscreen with graphics overlaid showing the satellite tender (left) approaching a non-working satellite.
DARPA's Proposed Phoenix Satellite Tender
DARPA's Proposed Phoenix satellite tender nears a satellite in orbit.
DARPA's Proposed Phoenix Satellite Tender at Work
An artist's illustration shows how DARPA's proposed satellite tender may modify a satellite on orbit.
DARPA's Proposed Phoenix Program Spacecraft
An artist's illustration shows DARPA's proposed Phoenix program spacecraft working in space.
DARPA's Proposed Phoenix Program Spacecraft Works on a Satellite
An artist's illustration shows DARPA's proposed Phoenix program spacecraft approaching a satellite in orbit.
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A Different Satellite Servicing Proposal
ViviSat and ATK are developing a spacecraft, called the Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) to dock to satellites in orbit, and then use its own thrusters to provide propulsion and attitude control.
An Earlier Proposed Satellite Servicing Vehicle
An artist's illustration of DARPA's Orbital Express spacecraft in orbit, with the ASTRO servicing vehicle (left) bearing down on NextSat.
Another Proposed Satellite Servicing Spacecraft
An artist's conception of how the SIS mobile space gas station will refuel client satellites on orbit.
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