Abstract

Arkisys is developing a long-duration orbital platform – The Port Module – capable of accepting arrivals of new payloads, technologies, components, etc. As a unique platform the method of connectivity becomes the critical attribute that requires a deep understanding and operational experience base, which translates into what is a “connectable interface”. On the path to understand and select connectable interfaces that allow for commercial operations, in early 2021 Arkisys conducted a survey of legacy, new, and currently-in-development physical interfaces for in-space connection. This survey included 33 devices, focusing on aggregate-able post-post launch connection, and the quality of that connection. Interfaces were evaluated on technical, safety, and business viability attributes. In 2025, Arkisys conducted an updated evaluation to reflect the current landscape of physical interfaces for use in in-space …

Date

March 4, 2026

Authors

David Barnhart, Rahul Rughani, Noah Gladden

Book

AIAA SCITECH 2026 Forum

Pages

2441