How do you service a satellite?
Though the vast majority of satellites were not designed to be serviced, NASA is looking into ways to make it possible. Similar to how a car can be repaired and receive more fuel, satellite servicing seeks to make the same options available to satellites. Most satellites use fuel to maintain orbit control, so the depletion of fuel can end its life. Parts wear out and components fail or become obsolete, which can also end or limit a satellite’s usefulness.
In order to service a satellite, a servicer must meet up with the satellite while flying thousands of miles per hour. A servicer needs to manoeuvre and perform autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations using cameras, machine-vision systems and high-speed avionics. Once the servicer mates with the satellite, dexterous robots and specialised tools can be used to transfer fuel to the satellite.
The first-ever refuelling of a satellite not designed to be serviced will be demonstrated by NASA’s On-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1) mission in the next few years.
Brent Robertson, NASA project manager for the On-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1) mission