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  • DARPA Phoenix Program - Redesigning Satellite Manufacturing Methods

    Farjand

    Farjand

    @farjand-6UEF79
    Updated: Oct 25, 2024
    Views: 1.1K
    Phoenix- The mythological bird that takes birth again from its ashes is also the name of #-Link-Snipped-# one of the important projects. Going with the name, the organization is looking towards developing technologies which would ultimately reduce costs for making a satellite and its accessories. Moreover, it is also planning to retrieve and recycle the parts which have not completed their service life even though the satellite has expired. Thus reducing the space debris and channelizing everything towards lean production.

    #-Link-Snipped-#
    Image Credit: Space.Com

    Most of the satellites are operated in certain pre-determined orbit and once the life is complete, they simply retire towards a next orbit which is often called the satellite graveyard for years to come. Removing the working parts is not as simple as it looks. About those we are talking are operated in a GEO range. They are made so as not to get disassembled. DARPA will require special tools and equipment to finish the job. The organization has a focus on Antennas which are used in these satellites and want to reuse them.

    This would be a boost to #-Link-Snipped-# System F6- a program which is touted to be successful in next few years, probably 2015. It is mainly focused on developing F6 developer’s kit and F6 Technology Package (F6TP). We don't know is it against the backdrop of American financial crisis or not, but economizing the technology will have long term positive effect globally. The researchers and technology experts are trying to create <a href="https://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2011/10/20.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - Content not found</a> in the fields like microelectronics, computer assisted medical robots surgery and similar other applications through the DARPA initiative.

    The features of <a href="https://www.darpa.mil/Our_Work/TTO/Programs/Phoenix.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - Content not found</a> involve establishing techniques for long range monitoring. In other words as you can inspect the drilling operations getting operated on the ocean floors even if you are sitting thousands of miles away, similarly you can also have robots which can be maneuvered in space while the person responsible is present in the operating center below.

    This is actually a challenging task. The engineers will need to show creativity for coping up with the extremities of outer space. The people engaged in this project and those who have conceived this idea will also try to use the end product on earth. Hence it isn't that only alien's would witness the development. We hope that the technology of harnessing the reusable parts and that of making economical satellites and machines would be up and working at the end of the present decade.

    Just do not miss the video below demonstrating Phoenix project in brief.

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