Will Space Robots Fix Satellites or Destroy Them?
Two major American agencies — NASA and Darpa (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) — are currently building robotic satellites the purpose оf which would be to fix other satellites. However, opponents of the research worry that the same satellites that can give orbiters new life can also do the opposite and destroy them. The concern goes beyond satellite hacking: if orbiters are launched with the purpose of ending life of the satellites, entire constellations can go down, and the space infrastructure can be shattered.
However, for now, the research moves forward. NASA assures that its Restore-L program for satellites with servicing capabilities is peaceful, meant to fix satellites in distress. The space agency plans to launch its first demo satellite, the Landsat-7, in mid-2020s.
NASA’s website describes the program: “During its mission, the Restore-L servicer will rendezvous with, grasp, refuel and relocate a government-owned satellite to extend its life…Restore-L’s capabilities can give satellite operators new ways to manage their fleets more efficiently, and derive more value from their initial investment. These capabilities could even help mitigate the looming problem of orbital debris.”
Darpa, on the other hand, plans to launch its Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites — the RSGS, in 2021. RSGS program manager Gordon Roesler is quoted in Darpa’s press release: “The ability to safely and cooperatively service satellites in GEO would vastly expand public and private opportunities in space. It could enable entirely new spacecraft designs and operations, including on-orbit assembly and maintenance, which could dramatically lower construction and deployment costs while extending satellite utility, resilience and reliability.”
Other benefits cited by Darpa include a lighter liftoff of half-fueled vehicles, since they can be fueled in orbit by servicers, and the assembly of new satellites or giant space telescopes that are sent up in parts.
While neither NASA nor Darpa take the threat of weaponization of servicing satellites seriously, they acknowledge that the situation is sensitive, and are focusing on avoiding complications and utilizing best practices. The space nation of Asgardia, which has already launched its Asgardia-1 satellite and plans to send more, is supporting the peaceful mission. While describing the concept of Asgardia, Head of Nation Igor Ashurbeyli wrote: “It is of crucial importance that space law does not become the law of the jungle…New space law has to equally protect the interests of every human being on Earth.”
One loud voice of opposition is Brian Chow, a policy analyst who been arguing against the servicing satellites. When you talk about a major technology revolution, it comes with good and bad,” Chow told Wired. “It’s not two different applications in two different systems,” he says, noting that a space servicer is exactly the same design as a space stalker.
The Outer Space Treaty, a framework of international space law established in 1967, prohibits harmful interference. However, there is a gray area regarding what kind of proximity actually constitutes a threat. As a potential solution, Chow suggests establishing “self-defense” zones and respecting the same zones of other nations’ satellites.
While the purposes of service satellites are completely benign, industry experts do acknowledge that new technology in space has historically been a source of competition among the major players. Only time will tell what will happen with the space servicers — and the space stalkers.
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