Orbital Express

Orbital Express Pictures

Global mated survey of the two spacecraft by the arm camera, 3/28/07.

This is a picture of the NextSat spacecraft taken by the OEDMS camera. At the bottom of the picture, the Vis-Star target can be seen. In the lower right is one of the two NextSat star trackers and the NextSat solar array. At the top of the picture is the standoff for the AVGS short-range targets.

This is a view of the NextSat solar array. Unlike ASTRO, the NextSat solar array is fixed, and is steered by moving the spacecraft. Below the array, one of the 2 NextSat star trackers can be seen.

This is a picture of the battery ORU, currently on ASTRO. As part of mission objectives, this battery will be transferred to NextSat, where it is integrated as part of the NextSat electrical power system (EPS). Several transfers are planned back and forth between ASTRO and NextSat to demonstrate both service depot and client spacecraft applications.

This is a picture of the NextSat battery ORU location. The battery ORU is currently on ASTRO. As part of mission objectives, this battery will be transferred to NextSat, where it is integrated as part of the NextSat electrical power system (EPS).

This is a picture of one of the two NextSat star trackers, showing the lightshade and MLI arrangements, verifying that nothing shifted during launch and early mission operations.

This is a clear view of the NextSat grappling target used in Free Flyer Capture Operations. This is used by the arm when performing the autonomous capture operations and allows vision-based servicing and grappling of the client satellite.

This is a picture of MDA-provided OEDMS shoulder joint, giving us a clear picture of the arm harness arrangement and allows us to verify that there are no interferences that could inhibit arm operations. One of the ASTRO solar arrays can be seen in the background.

This is a view of the reverse side of the ASTRO solar array, with Earth below in the background. Clear views of the rotary joint and array circuits can be seen.

This is a picture of the spacecraft computer ORU on ASTRO. As part of mission objectives, this computer will be removed and replaced on ASTRO where it is integrated as part of the sensor processing systems. Mission objectives require ASTRO to remove and replace the computer and then use the computer as its primary sensor computer during unmated scenario operations.

This is a view of the upper deck of ASTRO, showing two of our antennas and portions of the separation ring and sensor covers. The DARPA and Boeing mission logos can be seen. In the background is the OEDMS shoulder joint.

This is a view of one of the ARCSS sensor covers. The Advanced Video Guidance System sponsored by Marshall Space Flight Center is behind this sensor cover. This cover is attached to the separation ring and will be ejected with the separation ring during Scenario 1-1.

This is a view of the Integrated Light Assembly (ILA) and two of the ASTRO antennas. The ILA is made by MDA of Canada. In the upper right of the picture, a corner of the VisStar sensor Cover can be seen. Vis-Star is a system developed by Boeing to be demonstrated on Orbital Express and has applications in many other exploration missions.