Government/industry collaboration will develop standards for on-orbit activities in space

Advanced Technology International (ATI) has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to lead the Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS) program. ATI is serving as prime contractor for Phase I of the CONFERS effort, joined by teaming partners the Secure World Foundation (SWF), University of Southern California – Space Engineering Research Center (SERC) at the Information Sciences Institute (ISI), and the Space Infrastructure Foundation (SIF).

CONFERS seeks to establish an independent, self-sustaining forum where industry and the U.S. Government can collaborate to research, develop, and publish non-binding, consensus-derived technical and safety standards to enable and enhance future on-orbit satellite maintenance, servicing, and rendezvous operations. “Satellite servicing and related technologies are the foundation of the future economic development of space and delivering increased benefits from space to the world,” said Dr. Brian Weeden, SWF’s Director of Program Planning.

To fulfill its mission, CONFERS will be recruiting a broad array of members from satellite original equipment manufacturers, satellite operators, service providers, insurers and underwriters, and other stakeholders from industry, academia, and government. The process is designed to be a fully collaborative one and aims to engage the global satellite community.

“ATI is excited to have been awarded this opportunity to work with DARPA, our outstanding team members, and the greater space community,” said Chris Van Metre, ATI President and CEO. “We look forward to combining our collaboration management experience with the technical expertise of our partners in space-based operations to create a forum where definitions and expectations of responsible behavior in space can be developed for the benefit of all.”

About ATI:

ATI lessens the burden of Government by coordinating and executing our nation’s most innovative research initiatives. We lead diverse industry and academic organizations that develop technology solutions through a collaborative approach. Our current R&D portfolio includes shipbuilding and ship repair, advanced materials, medical technologies, electromagnetic spectrum technologies, and rapid prototyping. ATI manages more than a dozen large, federally funded R&D collaborations and is headquartered in Summerville, SC.

About SWF:

SWF is a private operating foundation that promotes cooperative solutions for space sustainability. SWF works with governments, industry, international organizations, and civil society to develop and promote ideas and actions for international collaboration that achieve the secure, sustainable, and peaceful uses of outer space for the socioeconomic and environmental benefits on Earth.

About SERC:

SERC is a joint focused research center for Space between the Information Science Institute (ISI) and the Department of Astronautical Engineering at the University of Southern California (USC). SERC is dedicated to disruptive space engineering, research and education of our second-generation workforce – including hands-on build, test and flight demonstrations of spacecraft and satellites. SERC seeks to challenge traditional methods of space R&D, manufacturing and exploration with approaches that dramatically reduce costs, enable novel capabilities and support vital democratization of the space domain.