The overall objective of the project ACPOS (Advanced Close Proximity Operations for Spacecraft) is to develop a technology that enables highly autonomous, fault-tolerant, and optimized maneuvering in close proximity to other spacecraft. This will increase the efficiency, safety, and reliability of such maneuvers. This will make a key technology available that will enable the Federal Republic of Germany to carry out such missions itself in the future or to participate in European or international missions using this key technology. The core technological developments of the project focus on safe and reliable maneuvering in close proximity to spacecraft, for which specific technologies and methods for robust relative navigation and trajectory optimization (guidance) are to be investigated, implemented, and demonstrated. Mastering and integrating these areas of technology are necessary prerequisites for the operationalization and routine execution of on-orbit servicing missions. Three use cases are defined, each with different requirements in terms of coordination and error management, precision and reactivity of control, and real-time capability. Based on these use cases, essential technologies for close proximity operations are being developed and their functionality demonstrated in demonstrators.
Project partner: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roger Förstner, Space Technology Group, Institute of Space Technology and Space Applications
Funding: DLR/BMWE
Duration: 11/2025-10/2028