Sessions Focus On On-Orbit Satellite Servicing

NASA and the Canadian Space Agency will present results to date from the satellite-servicing Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) during the Second International Workshop, On-Orbit Satellite Servicing, hosted by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, May 30-31.

In March 2012 RRM demonstrated remotely controlled robots and specialized tools are able to perform precise satellite-servicing tasks in space. RRM operations will continue through 2013. NASA expects RRM results to reduce the risks associated with satellite servicing and encourage future robotic servicing missions by laying the foundation for them. Such future missions could include the repair, refueling and repositioning of orbiting satellites.

The workshop will draw together principal and potential stakeholders of the growing satellite-servicing community to present servicing plans, share future missions that could enable science exploration and new fleet strategies, and probe into the issues that affect the emerging commercial industry. Participants will have ample opportunity to cross-discuss ideas, concerns, and solutions with renowned speakers during multiple presentations and panel discussions.

Plenary speakers include Kay Sears, President of Intelsat General Corporation; Dr. Robert Ambrose, Chief of the Software, Robotics and Simulation Division at NASA's Johnson Space Center; and Professor Henry Hertzfeld, Research Professor of Space Policy and International Affairs at George Washington University.

FMI: http://ssco.gsfc.nasa.gov/workshops.html, www.nasa.gov