Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations

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The Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS) was a program started by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in 2017. [1] The goal was to address the lack of widely accepted technical and safety standards for on-orbit servicing activities involving commercial satellites. [2] In partnership with NASA, the CONFERS program was to establish a permanent, self-sustaining, and independent forum where industry could engage with the U.S. Government to collaborate and create standards for on-orbit servicing. [3]

In 2017, DARPA provided funding to Advanced Technology International to form the consortium as an industry-led initiative. [4] Since 2018, CONFERS has held the annual Global Satellite Servicing Forum & Exhibition. [5]

In 2022, International Standards Organization (ISO) adopted CONFERS’ standard as ISO 24330, Space systems — Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) and On Orbit Servicing (OOS). [6]

In October 2022, CONFERS transitioned from DARPA and reincorporated itself as the independent, member-supported, non-profit [501(c)(6)] global trade association developing industry-led recommendations for voluntary consensus standards and guiding international policies for satellite servicing that contribute to a sustainable, safe, and diverse space economy. [7] [8]

References

  1. "CONFERS Proposers Day". darpa.mil. December 16, 2016. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  2. Staff, SpaceNews (2023-12-05). "The 2023 SpaceNews Icon Awards: Winners". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  3. "Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS)". darpa.mil. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  4. "CONFERS establishing international standards for satellite operations". Advanced Technology International. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  5. "Global Satellite Servicing Forum – CONFERS" . Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  6. "ISO 24330:2022 - Space systems - Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) and On Orbit Servicing (OOS) - Programmatic principles and practices". webstore.ansi.org. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  7. "CONFERS" . Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  8. "CONFERS". www.darpa.mil. Retrieved 2023-07-29.