The In-Space Robotic Servicing Program Advances with a New Commercial Partner
DARPA and the U.S. space industry have formed a new partnership to develop and deploy advanced robot capabilities in orbit. The agency signed an Other Transactions for Prototypes Agreement with Space Logistics, LLC, a fully-owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation, to be its commercial partner for Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous satellites (RSGS).
The RSGS program aims to develop a dexterous robot operational capability that will allow the U.S. space industry to improve its current infrastructure, increase resilience and extend satellite life. The first step in the RSGS program is to develop a dexterous robot servicer that will be operated by a commercial company.
Michael Leahy is the director of DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office. He said that DARPA remains committed to a partnership with a commercial company for the execution the RSGS Mission. \”Building on the success of the DARPA Orbital Express Mission and the recent successful docking with Space Logistics’ Mission Extension Vehicle-1. The agency seeks dexterous servicing of spacecraft in Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO) and to establish inspection, repair and life extension of our valuable GEO asset can be made feasible and even routine.\”
Source:
https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2020-03-04
