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NASA Developing Robotic Satellite Refueling System
coondoggie (973519) writes "Refueling aging satellites that were never meant to be refueled is the goal with a emerging NASA system that could save millions. NASA this week said since April 2011, engineers have been working to build robotic satellite servicing technologies necessary to bring in-orbit inspection, repair, refueling, component replacement and assembly capabilities to spacecraft needing aid."
NASA is in charge of our Robotic OVERlords!!
HAL: "I can't allow you to go up there, Dave."
We kind of don't need people up there.... yet. Putting a person in space is still really hard and expensive. However, if we can have robotics lead the way, and create good space infrastructure, then maybe it will become easier down the road.
how did this happen.... thanks beta...
Much the same way that you colonize a planet, you let robots do the ground work and move in once the wifi is set up. Its not economical to make people work in any hazardous environment if the robots have free electricity a la Sol. Let Branson build a orbital skydiving resort up there if he wants, the quicker we get construction robots in space the quicker the rest of us can move up there.
Dear aunt, let's set so double the killer delete select all
What if the robots get settled in then don't let us follow? Will there be a war?
Having to work for a living is the root of all evil.
NASA has no heavy lift rockets.
France has.
They are quite happy to let NASA buy a launch on an Ariane 5. It'll do twenty-one tons to LEO.