NASA begins preparations for OSAM-1 mission to test robotic in-orbit refueling and maintenance technology | TechNews Technology News

Will the large number of satellites that are launched into space orbit work one day, can they be repaired directly in the air to extend their service life? NASA is planning the OSAM-1 mission, which will send “robots” equipped with robotic arms and all the tools and equipment needed to prolong the life of satellites to help satellites repair faulty parts and refuel directly in Earth orbit.

In order to reduce the accumulation of more and more abandoned satellites in Earth’s orbit, and to test the aerial maintenance technology required for future deep space missions, scientists not only think about how to clean up space junk, but also begin to plan how to directly control satellites and probes in space. Carry out on-orbit refueling (refueling), maintenance and upgrades, and increase the service life of satellites to reduce the replacement rate.

NASA launched the OSAM-1 mission to this end, a robotic probe that will enter an orbit about 705 kilometers above Earth. The target is the Landsat 7 Earth observation satellite, which has been in orbit since 1999. OSAM-1 must be close enough for it to A robotic arm grabs Landsat 7 and then uses a ring on the satellite for docking operations; OSAM-1 will also carry 122kg of fuel, and it is planned to use a robotic arm and a retractable hose system to transfer the fuel to the Landsat 7 satellite so that the latter has The power is repositioned to the new orbit.
Of course, this all happens while the two probes are traveling through space at about 26,500 kilometers per hour. To safely approach the Landsat 7 satellites, OSAM-1 will carry six cameras for close-range operations, and another 21 cameras as part of a sensor system that allows remote operators to view operations from all angles.

In addition, the OSAM-1 mission added a new component called “SPIDER” in February 2019, including a 5-meter-long robotic arm that will be responsible for assembling a 3-meter-long communication antenna to evaluate on-orbit assembly and manufacturing ability.

The mission is expected to launch no earlier than 2026, and after completing maintenance, refueling, assembly and manufacturing tasks, it will deorbit into Earth’s atmosphere and burn up.

(Source of the first image: NASA)