SHERPA: A Flexible & Responsive Small Satellite Transport Vehicle

SHERPA1,2, the Shuttle Expendable Rocket for Payload Augmentation, is a highly capable propulsive satellite. The SHERPA is currently approaching a PDR level design. The SHERPA can perform a wide range of missions including orbit transfers, small satellite maneuvers, space situational awareness missions, and serve as a platform for experiments. The SHERPA has three versions: The Mark I, is a propulsion unit, the Mark II is a standalone propulsive satellite, and the Mark III, a self contained long-duration propulsive satellite. Each version can support either an electric or chemical propulsion module. The SHERPA integrates several Air Force Research Laboratory developed technologies into one unique package. The SHERPA can also fulfil a number of other mission needs as a low cost satellite bus for the DoD Space Test Program