NASA'S Refueling Demonstration Proves Viability Of Satellite-Servicing Technologies

Feb. 08, 2013

Rachel Kraft
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1100
rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov

Dewayne Washington
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
301-286-0040
dewayne.a.washington@nasa.gov


RELEASE: 13-046

NASA'S REFUELING DEMONSTRATION PROVES VIABILITY OF SATELLITE-SERVICING TECHNOLOGIES



WASHINGTON -- NASA has demonstrated robotic fluid transfer in space,
an objective that will help inform the development of robotic
technology to refuel satellites. The first-of-its-kind demonstration
was performed during the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) aboard the
International Space Station.

"This achievement is a major step forward in servicing satellites,"
said Frank Cepollina, associate director of the Satellite Servicing
Capabilities Office at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in
Greenbelt, Md. "RRM gives NASA and the emerging commercial satellite
servicing industry the confidence to robotically refuel, repair and
maintain satellites in both near and distant orbits -- well beyond
the reach of where humans can go today."

A joint effort with the Canadian Space Agency, RRM uses the
International Space Station as test bed for the research and
development of robotic satellite-servicing capabilities. During six
days of activity last month, controllers on the ground at NASA's
Johnson Space Center in Houston used the space station's remotely
operated Dextre, a robotic space handyman, to cut wires, remove and
stow caps and perform tasks necessary to refuel satellites not
designed to be refueled.

The cutting-edge technologies that RRM is demonstrating could extend
the lives of many of the hundreds of satellites currently in
geosynchronous Earth orbit. These are satellites that deliver
essential services such as weather reports, cell phone
communications, television broadcasts, government communications and
air traffic management.

RRM tasks scheduled to be performed later this year include thermal
blanket cutting and fastener and electronic termination cap removals.
NASA anticipates RRM technologies may help boost the commercial
satellite-servicing industry in the future. Such servicing
capabilities could greatly expand options for government and
commercial fleet operators.

For information, updates and videos about RRM and NASA's satellite
servicing activities, visit:

http://ssco.gsfc.nasa.gov

For more information about the International Space Station and its
crew, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station


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