Robotic Satellite Servicing Tech Ready for Orbital Tests, Experts Say

Technologies that would service and refuel satellites in orbit are finally ready to move forward after years of technical, regulatory and financial challenges, industry experts said at the AIAA Space conference, held earlier this month. "My assertion is, we're over the hump on all of these [challenges], but that doesn't mean we have a satellite servicing paradigm and infrastructure available today," said Steve Oldham, senior vice president of strategic business development at SSL, a commercial space system design and construction company. He said he anticipates that those missing elements are coming soon and that, when they arrive, there's going to be a "paradigm change." Currently, satellites are abandoned in orbit when they suffer a mechanical failure or run out of fuel. More

(Source: Space.com - Sep 28)