Section 15: In-Orbit Services & Infrastructure Design

Overview

Space isn’t just about reaching orbit—it’s about building the next layer of infrastructure to stay there. In-orbit services like refueling, debris removal, inspection, and manufacturing will power the next generation of missions. This section helps spacetech founders design systems that support sustained orbital operations.

Part 1: Defining In-Orbit Services

Key Categories:

• On-Orbit Servicing – Refueling, repair, repositioning

• Orbital Logistics – Transport of assets between orbits

• Debris Mitigation – Collection, tracking, and removal

• Inspection & Autonomy – Tugs, robotic arms, visual diagnostics

• Manufacturing & Assembly – 3D printing, on-site component fabrication

Tool: Capability Map

Part 2: Milestone-Driven Technical Architecture

Goal: Break vision into modular subsystems with stepwise validation.

Tool: In-Orbit Architecture Blueprint

• Core System Modules (propulsion, comms, sensing)

• Interfaces (standardized docking, data link)

• Autonomy layers (edge computing, fallback protocols)

• Environmental constraints (thermal, radiation, orbital debris)

Exercise: Define subsystem maturity by quarter using TRL milestones.

Part 3: Standards, Protocols & Interoperability

Why It Matters: Future orbital infrastructure depends on compatibility.

Resources:

• CONFERS Guidelines for Satellite Servicing

• NASA CLPS and OSAM specs

• In-Space Refueling Standardization Initiatives

Part 4: Design for Scalability & Modularity

Strategy: Create services and infrastructure capable of evolving and scaling over time.

Principles:

• Modular Hardware: Enable easy upgrades and adaptability.

• Standard Data Protocols: Implement plug-and-play operations for seamless integration.

• Redundant Systems: Minimize risks associated with individual unit failure through backup systems.

Tool: Long-Term System Evolution Canvas

Part 5: Use Case Prioritization & Customer Segmentation

Purpose: Identify the most urgent and monetizable early customers.

Segments:

• National Space Agencies (NASA, ESA, CSA)

• Commercial Satellite Operators (LEO constellations)

• Defense & ISR Programs

• Emerging Lunar Economy Stakeholders

Tool: Early Customer Fit Matrix - This matrix helps prioritize customer segments by urgency, budget, and required validation, enabling focused engagement with high-potential, early-stage customers.

Part 6: Simulation, Testing & Demonstration Pathways

Why It Matters: Investors and customers require confidence in the reliability, safety, and viability of orbital operations before committing to investments or contracts. Comprehensive testing and demonstration pathways mitigate risk and build credibility, ensuring the technology works as intended in real-world conditions.

Key Resources:

1. Microgravity Simulators:

   • Parabolic Flights: Short-duration, high-g-force flights that simulate microgravity, providing critical testing of hardware and systems in a gravity-free environment. Ideal for initial validation of components like propulsion systems, fluid dynamics, or biological experiments.

   • Clinostats: Ground-based simulators that mimic microgravity by rotating samples to counteract gravity's effects. Used primarily for biological and materials science testing.

2. Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing:

   • Integration Testing: Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing combines real-time simulations with actual hardware, allowing the testing of space systems in a controlled, virtual environment that closely mimics orbital conditions. This is essential for validating electronics, communication protocols, and sensor integration.

   • Critical System Validation: Tests like the failure modes and system redundancies in the presence of extreme conditions (temperature variations, radiation exposure) are essential to ensure system robustness.

3. Rideshare Launch Demo Opportunities:

   • Small Satellite Rideshare: By partnering with rideshare programs, startups can place their technology on existing commercial launches, drastically reducing the cost of launching a demonstration mission. This enables early validation of systems in space at a relatively low risk.

   • Use Case: Test communications, power systems, propulsion, and payload integration, while gathering real-world data on orbital mechanics, satellite performance, and environmental interactions.

4. ISS National Lab for In-Orbit Testing:

   • International Space Station (ISS) National Lab: The ISS offers a world-class testing environment for space technology, providing real-time validation of systems and processes in actual space conditions. By utilizing ISS facilities, you gain access to high-quality testing for propulsion, materials science, and payload systems.

   • Collaborative Research: The ISS National Lab fosters collaboration between governmental agencies, academia, and private sector innovators, creating opportunities to leverage NASA’s expertise and infrastructure.

Simulation & Testing Roadmap:

Goal: Ensure that each technology and system is rigorously tested under realistic space conditions to provide investors and customers with the confidence that the technology can perform reliably and safely once deployed in orbit.