satellite servicing
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.
Astroscale raises $30 million, opens U.S. office in Denver
Astroscale, the Japanese company developing technologies to remove orbital debris, announced April 10 that it has raised an additional $30 million and will open an office in the United States that the company hopes will lead to new business opportunities.
Thales Alenia Space mulls satellite servicing venture
Roberto Provera, Thales Alenia Space’s director of human spaceflight and transportation programs, said the company envisions having a servicing business by 2024 or 2025, and is currently in concept development.
Op-ed | A new mission for DARPA’s RSGS robotic spacecraft: satellite bodyguard
Maxar's exit has a silver lining: DARPA can and should repurpose the RSGS program to defined U.S. military satellites against attacks from supposedly peaceful Chinese and Russian robotic spacecraft.
European Space Agency overhauls satellite servicer program
A satellite-deorbiting program the European Space Agency that’s been struggling to gain traction with its member states and industry has been redesigned to be more appealing.
Orbit Fab to test refueling technology on ISS
A startup company with plans to develop orbiting propellant depots will fly an experiment to the International Space Station next month to demonstrate some of its key technologies.
Effective Space announces partnership with IAI for satellite servicing development
Effective Space, a startup developing a satellite servicing system, announced Sept. 11 an agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to provide technical and financial support.
Rescind the proposed budget cut for launching DARPA’s RSGS robotic servicing spacecraft
The need to use these spacecraft also as bodyguards is the strongest reason to rescind the Senate's proposed budget cut for launching our first robotic servicing spacecraft. Any delay in its launch would greatly increase the chance of a space Pearl Harbor.
Startup plans “gas stations” for satellite servicing
A startup company planning to develop orbital propellant depots to assist satellite servicing ventures has raised an initial round of funding to support a first launch as soon as next year.
Why Intelsat’s going with life extension over refueling
Intelsat-901, a 17-year-old communications satellite running low on propellant, is awaiting a first-of-its-kind service call from a robotic spacecraft carrying a fresh tank of fuel.
SSL aims to parlay NASA, DARPA work into viable in-orbit repair business
SSL is investing in on-orbit servicing because “mission extension is a game changer,” said Michael Gabor, advanced programs director for SSL Government Systems.
Orbital ATK’s giant leap into satellite servicing begins with baby steps
Orbital ATK subsidiary SpaceLogistics plans to offer customers a wide range of products and services, beginning with its Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) and progressing to in-orbit spacecraft assembly, repair and cis-lunar transportation.
Orbital ATK, SSL and others are gearing up to make house calls to ailing satellites
Satellite owners, satellite manufacturers, NASA and DARPA are planning a series of demonstrations to prove spacecraft can be repaired or refueled in orbit without the type of ambitious and expensive effort NASA devoted to servicing the Hubble Space Telescope.
In-orbit services poised to become big business
The Mission Extension Vehicle built by Orbital ATK on behalf of subsidiary SpaceLogistics, will the first of several such robotic craft that are poised to compete for a share of about $3 billion worth of in-orbit services that satellite operators and government agencies are projected to buy over the coming decade.
