Summary: The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory has completed development of a robotic system capable of servicing satellites 22,000 miles above Earth. This technology has the potential to transform space operations by enabling in-orbit satellite repairs and upgrades, saving billions of dollars in replacement costs and extending satellite lifetimes.
Naval Research Institute Announcement, October 8, 2024 | Reading time: 4 minutes
Thanks to a new robotic system developed by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), for the first time, satellites can undergo the same maintenance and upgrades that other military equipment receives on a daily basis. The technology recently completed its final testing phase, making significant progress in space infrastructure maintenance.
Space maintenance shop
“The military regularly repairs damaged aircraft, tanks, ships and trucks. We upgrade our aircraft and ships with the latest radars, computers and engines,” said Glenn, NRL’s senior scientist. Henshaw explains. “Satellites are the only expensive equipment we buy and cannot be repaired or upgraded once they are in the field, which costs taxpayers money.”
Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) systems aim to change this. These satellites sit in geostationary orbit approximately 22,000 miles above Earth and play a vital role in military, government, and commercial communications.
Testing space conditions
The system underwent rigorous thermal vacuum tests that simulate the extreme conditions encountered in space. Engineers tested all components, including avionics, cameras, lighting, and two robotic arms that can perform various maintenance tasks.
“NRL Team RSGS has spent nearly a decade on the goal of perfecting this first robotic service payload,” said William Vincent, NRL RSGS program manager. The system is expected to be introduced in 2026.
Glossary
- Geostationary orbit: An orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth in which the satellite is aligned with the Earth’s rotation.
- Thermal vacuum testing: test equipment under space-like temperature and pressure conditions
- Avionics: electronic systems used in spacecraft
- Spaceflight hardware: Equipment designed and certified for use in space.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
How high above Earth are geostationary satellites located?
Approximately 22,000 miles
When will the RSGS system be available?
2026
How many robotic arms are there in the system?
2 robot arms
How long has the NRL team been working on this project?
nearly 10 years
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