Advanced Technology International to lead Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS)
By Loren Blinde
November 21, 2017
Advanced Technology International (ATI), a subsidiary of Falls Church, VA-based Analytic Services, Inc. (ANSER) 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.”
Source: ATI
