15 In December, Starfish Space and Impulse Space announced the successful completion of the so-called Remora mission. During the mission, the Mira spacecraft from the LEO Express mission 2 company's Impulse maneuvered and approached another Mira spacecraft from the LEO Express mission 1 companies at a distance of approx 1250 meters, using a camera and on-board computer system, provided by Starfish.
The difference between this demonstration and previous tests of approach and approach operations (RPO) was that, that the Mira device, that was approaching, used only one camera to approach another spacecraft. The camera transmitted images to a computer running the Starfish CETACEAN and CEPHALOPOD software, which generated navigation data and maneuvering commands for the LEO Express vehicle 2.
The space industry has traditionally relied on more complex equipment to operate, associated with the RPO and usually included improved cameras and additional sensors, such as a leader. For comparison, Remora used an off-the-shelf camera, developed by TRL11, for space flights.
The images were processed by Starfish software to determine the relative position of the two spacecraft and calculate maneuvers, necessary to shorten the distance. Before starting the Remora mission, the Starfish spacecraft moved into the design orbit about a year before LEO Express was launched 2 in January.
The RPO demonstration took place after that, like LEO Express 2 completed its primary missions for other customers and performed a convergence maneuver to LEO Express 1, after which the Starfish assumed operational control to conduct an even greater convergence.
For Starfish, the test helps to verify the software, which will be used in future missions. The company currently operates Otter Pup 2, launched earlier this year, which, as expected, will attempt to dock with another spacecraft. This will demonstrate the capabilities of its Otter line of service vehicles.
While Starfish is focused on developing its Otter spacecraft, the company can offer its software package to other operators.
Source: https://spacenews.com