Legal, Business and Science Case for Modular Space Access and In-orbit Services Through Geostationary Orbit

In the next two decades, the space science and industry look set to be utilising regular space travel solutions to access select key objects in our Solar System, Moon and Mars in particular. Specifically, as first long-term deep space missions and temporary (research-led) off-Earth settlements will be established beyond low-earth orbit (LEO), a new (modular) space access infrastructure will be required to facilitate such endeavours. Hence, Gateway Earth Development Group (GEDG) has been proposing to develop a technically and economically viable architecture for interplanetary space exploration, based on a space station at the edge of Earth’s gravity well, called Gateway Earth. Using inflatable modules and multi-stage access through reusable launch to LEO, this complex is proposed to be the main outpost for starting and finishing missions further afield, as well as utilising in-situ resources, in particular existing disused spacecraft.
Having completed a preliminary analysis of technological readiness in 2017, and developed a detailed understanding of the station design, assembly and launch in 2018, this paper is presenting a solid science case, business model and legal position for the Gateway Earth programme. We start by outlining an in-depth analysis of literature, including international legal requirements for facilities in or near geostationary orbit (GEO) and the international legislation likely to regulate the building, assembling and operating the Gateway Earth complex. We then examine the costings and revenue streams within the Gateway Earth economic model, noting true-cost market prices and fluctuations, and subsequent detailed analysis of different available financial solutions for the proposed development. We note challenges in the very slowly developing space tourism market, which was previously billed as the enabling opportunity for the development of Gateway Earth, and propose to instead focus on servicing, recycling and manufacturing satellites in GEO and near graveyard orbits. In addition, we outline a science case for GEO station to be the main manufacturing/repair hub and docking port for interplanetary spacecraft for exploration (human and robotic), conducting critical bio-medical research in the effects of radiation and spaceflight psychology, as well as training and acclimatising crews for deep-space missions.