satellite servicing
Industry group working on satellite servicing standards
A satellite servicing industry group is making progress on a series of standards that it believes can help enable the growth of the nascent field.
Satellite servicing companies see different demand in LEO versus GEO
Developers of satellite servicing technologies expect interest in refueling and life extension to come from customers in geostationary orbit and beyond, while low Earth orbit operators instead seek end-of-life disposal services.
After technical demonstrations, satellite servicing grapples other issues
With the technical feasibility of satellite servicing now being demonstrated, companies and other organizations in the field are now grappling with other issues, from legal and regulatory challenges to the development of standards.
Astroscale complete first test of satellite capture technology
Astroscale has completed the first major test of technology to capture and remove objects in orbit by releasing and then recapturing a small satellite.
Lockheed Martin takes aim at satellite servicing market
Lockheed Martin plans to launch two cubesats later this year to demonstrate how small satellites can service other satellites in orbit.
Startup using Soviet-era technology to build satellite servicing vehicle
Ukrainian startup Kurs Orbital is building an in-orbit servicing vehicle using space docking technology developed decades ago by the former Soviet Union.
Orbit Fab and Benchmark Space Systems to partner on in-space refueling technologies
Two startups are partnering on technology that they hope can jump-start the market for in-space refueling of satellites.
Op-ed | How to convince China and Russia to join a space traffic management program for peace and prosperity
The United States should take the lead in initiating a dual-track approach to developing both a Western and an International space traffic management regime in order to prevent China and Russia from normalizing potent anti-satellite capabilities in the name of debris-removal.
Astroscale announces 2021 Soyuz launch of ELSA-d mission
Astroscale plans to launch the first commercial active debris removal mission, End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-demonstration in March on a Soyuz rocket operated by GK Launch Services from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.
Orbit Fab to launch first fuel tanker in 2021 with Spaceflight
Orbit Fab, a startup preparing to establish fuel depots in space, announced an agreement Nov. 17 with Spaceflight Inc. to send its first microsatellite into orbit in 2021.
New initiative to promote satellite servicing and in-space assembly technologies
A new “national initiative” wants to promote the development of satellite servicing and in-space assembly technologies among U.S. government agencies that have differing views on the value of such capabilities.
Satellite servicing industry seeks interface standards
As another satellite life extension spacecraft is readied for launch, both developers and customers of such systems called for the creation of standard interfaces to support servicing of future spacecraft.
Northrop Grumman “bullish but cautious” about satellite servicing
With the success of its first life extension vehicle and a new DARPA award, Northrop Grumman is cautiously optimistic that demand for satellite servicing will grow.
Xtar, Hisdesat weigh life extension for aging satellites
Xtar may achieve a long-sought goal of adding Asia-Pacific coverage by keeping its pair of aging satellites in service well after their already-ordered replacements launch.
Intelsat-901 satellite, with MEV-1 servicer attached, resumes service
A 19-year-old Intelsat satellite resumed service April 2 after getting a new lease on life through Northrop Grumman’s MEV-1 satellite servicer, the companies announced Friday.
Orbit Fab gets award to test satellite refueling technology
A startup that seeks to create refueling facilities in orbit for satellites has received a government grant to develop one essential technology for that system.
Airbus impressed by Northrop Grumman, but remains undecided on satellite servicing
Airbus Defence and Space wanted to launch a satellite servicer shortly after Northrop Grumman launched MEV-1, but backed away from those plans two years ago because of uncertainty about the commercial market.
Industry weighs government’s role in satellite servicing
With the first commercial satellite servicing spacecraft about to launch, industry executives argue that government agencies, primarily seen as developers of key servicing technologies, also need to be customers of those systems.
Orbit Fab demonstrates satellite refueling technology on ISS
A startup company that plans to develop tankers for refueling satellites has completed a key test of its technology on the International Space Station.
Tethers Unlimited developing satellite servicer for LEO missions
Tethers Unlimited is designing a satellite servicing vehicle that would leverage technologies developed for the U.S. Defense Department and NASA to service spacecraft in low Earth orbit.
