Abstract: A new satellite system configuration is comprised of a power module with rigidly attached solar arrays and a control module including a sun pointing unit, an earth pointing unit and a rotary interface. The power module is attached to one face of the sun pointing unit and an opposite face of the sun pointing unit is attached to the earth pointing unit through the rotary interface to allow the earth pointing unit to remain pointing to the earth while the sun pointing unit rotates relative to it to keep the rigidly attached solar arrays of the power module pointing toward the sun. The earth pointing unit has a docking area for subsequent orbital docking of one or more earth pointing payload satellites to be serviced and controlled by the power and control modules.

Abstract: A spacecraft configuration including a service module which carries optical stabilizing equipment for stabilizing the spacecraft relative to two inertially fixed targets together with solar arrays rigidly attached thereto so as to extend in the orbital plane and never obstruct the field of view of the optical stabilization equipment. The payload module is attached to one face of the service module by means of rotary interface structure to be able to continuously point to the earth.