Sometimes Aaron makes models of things that he thinks are fun–not necessarily because they’ve already been written into the Drifting Amalgams universe. This week, he wanted to make a space tug, so I’m looking at what real-world spacecraft I can adapt for a sci-fi space tug.
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Real-Life Space Tugs for Adapting in Science Fiction
It’s not always practical or possible for a spacecraft to move everywhere it needs to be. Servicing. Restocking. Deployment. Regaining proper orbit. To complete these tasks, it’s usually beneficial to use an orbital transfer vehicle, or OTV. Sometimes referred to as space tugs, these space vehicles are designed to transport payloads, spacecraft, and scientific instruments between different celestial bodies within our solar system.
They’re advantageous because, not only are they reusable, but they can carry more cargo and are more agile than traditional spacecraft.
Greater strength and maneuverability are made possible with ion thrusters and advanced chemical engines, Onboard computers and star trackers help determine position, calculate trajectories, and make necessary course corrections. And while OTVs do have high-gain antennas and advanced transponders, artificial intelligence is often used for response to unexpected situations.
OTVs have been in use for decades. Some of the most successful include the European Space Agency’s Automated Transfer Vehicle, or ATV, that was first launched in 2008. The ATV served as cargo carrier, space tug, and storage facility for the International Space Station.
About once a year, ATV hauled over 7 tonnes of cargo from our planet’s surface to the Station 340 km above the Earth. Carrying an impressive payload in a compact package, the ATV repeatedly rendezvoused with the ISS, where it automatically docked and remained as a pressurised and integral part of the Station for up to six months.
Having retired ATV, the European Space Agency is looking to the future with RISE, an in-orbit servicing mission for geostationary satellites. RISE is expected to pave the way for a circular economy in space, complete with in-space refuelling, refurbishment, and assembling.
Before we get excited about building a city in space, though, RISE is looking to prove they can match an orbiting satellite's speed and trajectory before docking. Then, it will need to latch on to the ring that originally attached the satellite to its launcher. Further, RISE will, need to change the satellite’s attitude and orbit to precisely maneuver it, while the satellite will keep its own power, communications with Earth, and payload fully functional.
As of this chat, RISE is just in development phases, so much of what it will do is still theoretical. But thanks to advancements such as this, sci-fi space worlds are getting closer every day.
Transitioning Real-World Space-Tug Science to Fiction
When I started looking at creating a sci-fi space tug, I thought I’d need to fictionalize real-world technology to make it advanced enough for the Drifting Amalgams universe. But, based on what I’ve learned, real-world space tugs are pretty close to what I’d want to use… if I scale them up a bit.
Though the sci-fi space tug will be owned by a corporation, I’ll regulate the company’s actions by using the rules I’ve created for the United Barpadai Nation, where the corporation, IndServ, is headquartered.
In the Drifting Amalgams universe, space stations and spacecraft are ubiquitous, so there’s plenty of business for IndServ’s Short-Distance Stellar Support Vehicles. Extending the real-world goals of the European Space station, I will write these vehicles to be used as interstellar delivery vehicles for resupply and refueling. Additionally, like real-world OTVs, IndServ’s stellar support vehicles willl transport surface-to-space goods. These goods will allow peoples in my sci-fi world to refurbish and construct objects in space.
No need to change dimensions from real-world specs, but I will make IndServ’s vehicles semi-autonomous using artificial intelligence. And for a bit of narrative color, I’ll add some security features.
I’ll say that, because these vehicles are used to transport valuable resupply goods for deployed spacecraft, opportunistic individuals once commonly rerouted them and / or broke into their cargo hulls. Accordingly, two people are required to open and / or interface with them. Each person must successfully unlock the vehicle via two of the accepted measures, including: voice lock, body scanning, and fingerprint recognition.
Now that I have my basic sci-fi space tug, let’s talk about this idea of a circular economy in space.
Worldbuilding Economy to Support use of a Sci-Fi Space Tug
The fictional IndServ company is strongly interested in building a circular economy in space. I’ve even built aspects of the Drifting Amalgams universe around the idea that IndServ has a virtual monopoly over nearby space trade. But how has this happened?
Well, that’s where I do a little work on worldbuilding economy.
There are billions of businesses that can be traced back to the United Barpadai Nation, but IndServ is, by far, the largest. And, with a common cultural practice of doing anything that makes money, it’s easy to imagine a technologically savvy company expanding to off-planet endeavors, much the way humans could one day.
With the means to develop an interstellar ecosystem, all a civilization really needs is other space faring civilizations to trade with. Including more peoples in the narrative is easy enough. Though, writing economic structures in sci fi is a bit more complex. For the United Barpadai Nation, I’ve chosen to include a Central Bank that works in tandem with the newer Bank of Interstellar Trade… a central body that oversees Barpadi interests amongst planets.
With central bodies in place and a currency exchange set by those bodies, I have the basis for an economy that’s ready for interstellar deliveries. That’s where my sci-fi space tug comes in.
If you’re interested in how I detailed the economy of the United Barpadai Nation check out the Prompting Inspiration chat I did on worldbuilding economy.
Until next time, stay curious.