CONFERS Technical Working Group (CTWG)

CONFERS Working Groups and Splinter Groups

CONFERS activities are planned and executed by volunteer members serving on three Working Groups and through Splinter Groups formed as needed.

Participation on Working Groups and Splinter Groups by CONFERS members is strongly encouraged, and is a significant benefit to membership.  There is no limit to the number of individuals that a CONFERS member company may have serving on one or more Working Groups or Splinter Groups.  Individuals interested in sharing their expertise on a Working Group or Splinter Group should email bri[email protected] to be added to their preferred group(s).

Technology Working Group (CTWG): is responsible for advancing technical development of CONFERS best practices and standards. As of 2023, the CTWG includes lexicon and terminology.

Co-chairs: Ron Birk, The Aerospace Corporation; Stephen Leete, Northrup Grumman

Meeting frequency: every second Wednesday of the month from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM ET.

CTWG contributed to multiple standards related to satellite servicing:

  • ISO 24330 Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) and On Orbit Servicing (OOS) —Programmatic Principles and Practices (Status: Published July 2022)
  • AIAA S-155 (202X) RPO-OOS Spacecraft Fiducial Markers (Currently in progress through AIAA)
  • AIAA S-157 (202X) RPO-OOS In-Space Storable Fluid Transfer Interfaces (Currently in progress through AIAA)
  • AIAA S-158 RPO-OOS Free-Flyer Capture (approved by the AIAA Standards Steering Committee (SSC) May 5, 2023)

The following CTWG Splinter Groups are presenting engaged:

  • Cryogenics Fluid Transfer Splinter Group: developing recommendations for on-orbit cryogenic refueling standards.

Chair:  Dallas Bienhoff, Off-World, Inc.

Meeting frequency: occurs every second Monday of the month from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET.

  • Power and Data Splinter Group: developing recommendations for space data system standards.

Chair:  Victor Nifo, MDA

Meeting frequency: occurs every other Thursday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM ET.

  • On Orbit Servicing Communications Splinter Group: developing recommendations for on-orbit satellite- to-satellite servicing communications.

Chair:  Jeffrey Osbourne, AnySignal, Inc.

Meeting frequency: occurs every third Thursday of the month from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM ET.