Main Engine Cut OffSSL, Orbital ATK, and Satellite Servicing
Caleb Henry of SpaceNews, on NASA’s recent Restore-L award:
The purpose of Restore-L is to demonstrate the ability to refuel a satellite in orbit, including those not designed to have their fuel tanks opened in space. In-orbit refueling has the potential to extend the lives of otherwise healthy spacecraft that have exhausted their propellants.
One of the big hurdles that satellite servicing needs to jump in order to become a viable market in the current era is the ability to work with satellites not specifically designed to be serviced. For that reason, it’ll be interesting to follow along with this mission as it progresses.
This reminds me of something I forgot to link to last month. Jim Armor of Orbital ATK was on The Space Show on Halloween. The whole show is worth a listen, but at 54:55, they talked about satellite servicing and how Orbital ATK is approaching that market. He talks mainly about their Mission Extension Vehicle and the various types of missions it will carry out.
Orbital ATK’s approach isn’t focused on repairing satellites, it’s focused on extending their life, correcting or changing their orbits, and more. And they’ve already signed their first customer.