For the second part of my Senior Capstone project, I worked in a group of four to ideate, analyze, and design a report detailing how a company would supply satellites in low-earth orbit (LEO) with hydrazine fuel.

Satellites in LEO become space debris when they run out of fuel, sometimes taking decades to burn up in the atmosphere. Over time, this trend will clutter space with debris and negatively affect our ozone layer. 

Our new design approach addresses this issue by developing a spacecraft capable of refueling satellites with hydrazine fuel, effectively extending their missions and reducing debris. Utilizing SpaceX Starship for deployment, this spacecraft aims to refuel up to ten satellites in LEO per launch, carrying a substantial 1000 kilograms of propellant. This approach not only enhances satellite longevity but also contributes to a safer and cleaner space environment.

The report includes considerations for:

• Problem significance, customer and market, social impact

• Fuel types, launch vehicles, docking, guidance and controls

• Subsystems - propulsion, structure, fuel tank, thermal systems

  • Finalized CAD and drawing packet of all parts & assemblies

  • Orbital Mechanics (Optimal transfer orbits via Homann Transfer & Plane change)

  • Structural and material analysis with theory and Ansys

  • Custom robotic arm analysis (for fuel delivery and motor considerations)

  • Spacecraft dynamics

  • Fluid system of spacecraft

  • Assembly considerations