A Fully-Modular Coupling Kit Enabling OSAM, Exploration and Beyond: iSSI - The intelligent Space System Interface by iBOSS

Next-gen space infrastructure will involve new system solutions to broaden the scope of space mission, to improve their economics and to make space sustainable in the long-term, also regarding technology, systems, missions, operations and business alike. The upswing of innovative and commercial NewSpace ventures and general space industry trends suggest a move toward higher lot sizes of systems, subsystems and components, thus series production. At large, these developments and concepts will benefit from cooperative design and plug- and-play (PnP) principles, which in turn are centered around standardized interfaces per se with modularity or cellularization as enabling system philosophy. With OSAM (On-Orbit Servicing (OOS) including refurbishing and re-fueling, On-Orbit Assembly (OOA) and On-Orbit Manufacturing (OOM)), and Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Space Recycling (ISR) or other supporting services entirely new possibilities will arise and drive “NextSpace”. Space missions and business span over manifold themes beyond Earth orbits and across the solar system, involving robotics, habitats, manufacturing, resource exploitation and more. Large space structures, logistics and warehousing will become common space infrastructure elements made of standardized building blocks. In this context especially modular concepts and standardization of space infrastructure elements have been investigated for decades and are now gradually becoming a reality as the CubeSat revolution has shown in a first step. Standard interfaces are considered instrumental enablers for new dimensions of flexibility and entirely new space systems, their operations and associated business models. New standards are intended to provide the foundation for a new commercial repertoire of robust space-based capabilities and a future in-space economy. Besides safety, cost and flexibility will become key to allow for adjustments and repurposing, staged approaches, etc. and economy of scale effects as routine operations suggest. Hence, NewSpace will drive this with new space approaches. This paper elaborates on the fully modular coupling kit iSSI by iBOSS (CONFERS sustaining member), yet the most advanced and mature multi-functional and multi-purpose potential future standard space system interface. Core is the patented intelligent space system interface iSSI an industry4.0 series- manufactured solution, modular in its functionalities and variations, and leading in terms of coupling speed, compactness and weight. The iSSI technology and evolution path, its specialties and specs will be presented, followed by selected applications and use cases with associated benefits. Finally, enhancing capabilities and effects regarding flexibility, design, architecture and operations will be sketched. The authors and partners involved have longstanding experiences, background and visibility in the global commercial space arena with involvement in multiple innovative new business endeavors comprising dedicated expertise in space commercialization and innovation, new business creation and finance, international partnerships, commercial prototyping and series manufacturing.