The Characterisation Data Said 180 Kilograms. The Object Had Not Seen The Characterisation Data.
ORC-V2 “Reg” completed a standard LEO retrieval at 404–431 km. The object was retrieved and deorbited over the South Pacific uninhabited zone on 17 August 2023. Re-entry confirmed. Full documentation issued within 14 working days. The mission is complete and successful. Reg is operational.
Reg reached the stated orbital position on day 14. The characterisation data on file described a 180 kg decommissioned Earth observation microsatellite in a stable nadir-pointing attitude. What Reg’s proximity sensors returned was considerably more information than a 180 kg object typically provides.
The object’s solar arrays were fully deployed. It was tumbling on three axes simultaneously at 4.7 rpm. Its mass, as calculated from gravitational interaction during approach, was in excess of 1,800 kg. P. Patel, on reviewing the rendezvous telemetry, asked the ops room to give her a moment. The ops room gave her a moment. The moment lasted approximately eleven minutes. P. Patel then said [REDACTED].
Capture required a revised approach sequence, an extended docking protocol, and a complete recalculation of the deorbit burn parameters. None of these were in the original mission plan. All of them were completed successfully. The mission took 11 additional days beyond the original estimate. Reg was operating at the outer edge of its rated capture capacity for an object of this mass. Reg managed. Reg always manages. We are aware that “Reg always manages” is not a planning framework. Form 3-Q now has a mandatory mass verification field. It is named after this mission. We will not say what it is named.
A. Kowalski contacted the client on day 15, following the rendezvous. A. Kowalski explained that the object’s characterisation data appeared to contain some discrepancies. The client said they were not aware of any discrepancies. A. Kowalski said the object appeared to weigh approximately 1,847 kg. The client said that sounded about right. A. Kowalski asked why the Form 3-Q had listed 180 kg. The client said [REDACTED].
The client asked if this created a problem. A. Kowalski said it had created several problems, all of which were being resolved. The client asked if the mission would still succeed. A. Kowalski said yes. The client said “brilliant, keep us posted.” A. Kowalski kept them posted. The mission succeeded. The client rated their experience with ORC as “excellent” in the post-mission survey. A. Kowalski reviewed the survey result. A. Kowalski noted it in their file. That note is also three words. Different words.
- Form 3-Q was updated immediately following this mission to include a mandatory mass verification field requiring total wet mass including all deployed components, with a verified source date. The field has a named informal title within the team. The title is appropriate. We will not be sharing it.
- P. Patel’s real-time recalculation of the approach sequence, tumble arrest protocol, and deorbit burn parameters is the subject of an internal technical case study. P. Patel has reviewed the case study. P. Patel’s comment on the case study is: “I had a good day.” The case study is used in ORC onboarding.
- Reg was inspected post-mission. The capture system had operated at 97% of rated capacity. The rated capacity margin is 3%. This is a comfortable margin in the same way that the top step of a ladder is technically still a step.
- The mission surcharge for extended duration and revised mission parameters was applied per ORC standard terms. The client paid the surcharge. The client did not query the surcharge. We note that characterising a 1,847 kg object as 180 kg and then not querying the consequent surcharge represents a level of self-awareness that we respect.
- The client has since submitted two further Form 3-Qs. Both listed accurate masses. Both included verified source dates. Both were completed correctly. We have noted this. We consider it a satisfactory outcome.