Description
Objective: The United States Space Force (USSF), through the Space Development Agency (SDA), is seeking innovative solutions to mature key technologies that enable commercial De-Orbit as a Service (DaaS) capabilities for proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) satellite constellations. As the Department of War's (DoW) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) continues to expand, there is a need for safe, scalable, and responsive satellite disposal mechanisms—particularly for satellites that experience mission-ending anomalies and cannot autonomously de-orbit. Rather than fielding bespoke government solutions, SDA aims to catalyze a commercially sustainable market for DaaS by investing in maturing subsystems necessary for future on-orbit servicing. This topic seeks to prototype and validate technologies that reduce technical and operational risks for DaaS offerings and establish a foundation for future on-orbit demonstration missions. Proposed solutions may include, but are not limited to: - Validation of rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) technologies such as sensors, vision-based navigation, and autonomous maneuver planning in simulated or lab-based environments - Demonstration of universal capture mechanisms compatible with multiple PWSA bus types, leveraging modular and non-invasive design principles - Evaluation of collision avoidance and trajectory planning techniques through high-fidelity software simulations - Design recommendations for future PWSA spacecraft that improve serviceability and reduce integration friction with DaaS providers Proposals should focus on developing capabilities that can be commercialized and integrated into a broader orbital debris mitigation and satellite servicing ecosystem. A successful effort will reduce the timeline for fielding U.S.-based DaaS capabilities and improve long-term resilience, safety, and sustainability in LEO. Description: The United States Space Force (USSF), through the Space Development Agency (SDA), is leading the development and deployment of the Department of War's (DoW) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA)—a resilient, scalable constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) designed to provide global military sensing and data transport. As PWSA deployment advances, some satellites will inevitably experience end-of-life anomalies, such as propulsion failures or loss of communications, that prevent safe, controlled de-orbiting. Rather than developing bespoke government capabilities, the USSF and SDA intend to leverage commercial De-Orbit as a Service (DaaS) offerings to remove defunct PWSA satellites and reduce long-term orbital debris risks. Recent 120-day vendor studies have identified areas that must be addressed before DaaS operations can be safely proceed on-orbit. This topic seeks to mature and prototype enabling technologies through focused ground testing and risk-reduction efforts, including: - Validating rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) technologies—such as sensors, autonomy software, and computer vision algorithms—through lab-based tests - Demonstrating universal capture mechanisms compatible with multiple PWSA bus designs using hardware testbeds or robotic systems - Evaluating collision-avoidance strategies using high-fidelity simulations to assess response accuracy, decision logic, and maneuver safety - Recommending satellite design enhancements that simplify future servicing, including passive aids or standardized interface features This effort supports USSF and SDA’s broader objective of enabling a commercially viable, scalable U.S. DaaS ecosystem capable of supporting both defense and commercial pLEO operators. Solutions should reduce technology risk, inform future demonstrations, and contribute to long-term space sustainability. Keywords: de-orbit; space debris; end-of-life; SDA PWSA; active debris removal; pLEO; mission design; CDR; operational risk; regulatory compliance; ground segment integration; STRATFI