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DARPA Working On Robotic Satellite Repair

Posted by samzenpus on from the fix-on-the-fly dept.

jfruh writes: One of the aspects of the space age that sci-fi writers of the '50s couldn't predict was how much of our space activities are conducted by unmanned satellites rather than human beings. Now, DARPA wants to take that one step further, by building a robot satellite to fix other satellites. The initiative is being headed by former Space Shuttle commander Pamela Meloy. “Right now, we don’t build satellites to be serviced, but once we have that capability, then you can start seeing things like modular, serviceable satellites that become routine,” she says.

16 comments

  1. Hubble by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 4, Informative

    Several of the Hubble repair missions at least got some preliminary work done on figuring this all out (to prototype stage IIRC). Getting the cost down was the issue.

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    My God, it's Full of Source!
    OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
    1. Re:Hubble by Trepidity · · Score: 1

      We also had a space shuttle then, which as long as it was going to be flying periodically anyway, was basically a sunk cost, so might as well use it to perform the repair. Now, with no space shuttle, robot repair doesn't have a lot of competitors.

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  2. SpaceX is lowering launch costs by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Making such a notion less ideal, and as they bring on reusable 1st stages the costs will drop even more. The notion of repairing satellites only works while you are investing 200 million into a satellite because the launch costs 100 million, so you want something bullet proof that will last the 7-15 year life span you need. When launch costs hit 20 million investing 40-50 million on a satellite will seem like a substantial amount. Making the need for a robotic service mission less needed, but increasing the need for deorbiting services to keep the space around earth clear. Seems like DARPA is a day late and a dollar short to this party.

    1. Re:SpaceX is lowering launch costs by thinkwaitfast · · Score: 1

      Well, the jwst is a few billion dollars and will be parked n the other side of the moon. And it will be a while before launch costs are $20M.

  3. 'Servicing' your enemies' satellite ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    ... priceless

    1. Re:'Servicing' your enemies' satellite ... by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 1

      Tape a photo of your country with all the military stuff airbrushed out over the lens.

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      systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  4. not really for repair by Gravis+Zero · · Score: 1

    it's important to remember that DARPA is military. while repairing satellites is interesting, this is more about hijacking, spying on and taking down other peoples' satellites. the falling cost of launching satellites is the reason they are making this!

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    Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
    1. Re:not really for repair by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Time to start launching satellites with security systems

    2. Re:not really for repair by postbigbang · · Score: 1

      Damaging satellites then becomes the crux of military offense/defense, and humanity fights itself in the skies, via robots. New satellite defense mechanisms, being necessary to prevent becoming jacked, start to add to the costs of weight, payload, basic capex, and so forth. The space race becomes vastly more complex. Oh joy. Oh funding.

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      ---- Teach Peace. It's Cheaper Than War.
    3. Re:not really for repair by paradigmsareconstruc · · Score: 1

      Yes, it seems that this article is a public relations piece, to my eye, to leave the impression that we are the good guys. But, with other nations already deployed experimental weapons to destroy satellites, it stands to reason that the best funded military will be very active in this area as well. It's not clear to me that the Slashdot moderators who let this through are aware of this.

  5. And her name is... by mhotchin · · Score: 1

    "Melroy"

  6. "Repair" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Man, who is the market for a satellite that can approach another satellite and change its functions? You know, "repair"? Who would really pay a *premium* for that? I just... don't know...

    1. Re:"Repair" by thinkwaitfast · · Score: 1

      Repairing satellites in orbit was a major selling point of the space shuttle. The us spent a few billion $ on Hubble repairs and upgrades.

  7. Modular is the answer. by Lumpy · · Score: 1

    The problem is getting a robot out to geosync for repairs and updates with new modules will cost as much as lifting a whole new bird. So unless NASA is going to start launching for free I see this as only an exercise in "if we can"

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    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  8. It's a pity by BlueCoder · · Score: 1

    We spend all the money on a space station and we can't even shuttle around in LEO to fix satellites.

  9. A wonderful idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This concept of a repair garage in space. A "space station" if you will, and it could be globally accessed and available to all who contribute to it's upkeep and development.

    Too bad we don't have anything like that...

    [Just having fun, don't point out the logical flaws in my snark!]