The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Naval Center for Space Technology has finished developing an advanced robotics suite that can service orbiting satellites.
Funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites Integrated Robotic Payload aims to advance efforts to design, build, integrate and test new satellite servicing capabilities, the U.S. Navy said Thursday.
Advanced Space Capability
According to Bernie Kelm, head of the spacecraft engineering division at NRL NCST, the RSGS program involves the creation of spaceflight hardware and software to improve satellite servicing operations. He added that the new space capability will support inspection, orbital adjustment, hardware upgrade and repair of commercial and government satellites to extend their service life.
Repairing and Upgrading Space Assets
If successful, the program would allow the U.S. government to repair and upgrade satellites in deployment, leading to significant savings. Glen Henshaw, a senior scientist for robotics and autonomous systems at NRL, noted that RSGS will demonstrate that expensive U.S. space assets can be serviced using capable robots.
NRL recently completed the thermal vacuum testing phase of the robotic payload, which involved exposure to on-orbit temperature and vacuum conditions similar to space. During the testing process, engineers checked the payload’s key components and verified its operational and communication functions and robotic compliance.
The payload was delivered to Northrop Grumman for integration with its Mission Robotics Vehicle. After its scheduled 2026 launch on the MRV spacecraft bus, the suite will go through initial checkout and calibration in preparation for operational servicing missions.
National Security and Civil Applications
The robotic payload will ideally enable the RSGS program to realize its vision of transforming satellite operations in geostationary orbit, reducing costs for satellite operators and enabling new capabilities for national security and civil applications, NRL Director of Research Bruce Danly said.
