satellite servicing
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.
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.
