Rationale for Need of In-Orbit Servicing Capabilities for GEO Spacecraft

Abstract

At both NASA and DARPA, robotic programs are being executed which will serve as catalysts for changing how the commercial world thinks about satellites and satellite life. Technology is being developed today by both governments and private companies which will allow towing, servicing and lifetime extension of spacecraft already in orbit. These same technologies can be leveraged to come to the rescue of future satellite missions which suffer launch performance shortfalls or deployment anomalies. The capability of these robotic vehicles could even include the potential to collect orbital debris.