Robots Will Repair Satellites In Space

The Pentagon is developing robots that can repair satellites in space, more than 20,000 miles above Earth.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has chosen Space Systems Loral as a commercial partner for that program, which would build robots capable of inspecting and servicing geosynchronous Earth orbit satellites—that is, the government and commercial devices used for purposes like meteorology and national security.

Today, satellites launch with replacement parts in case of failure, which contributes to their weight and cost. In the next five years, DARPA wants a robot, already situated 22,000 miles above the Earth, to answer repair requests including inspections, correcting antenna relocation, and refueling.

DARPA plans to build out a combination of hardware and software to form the backbone of the system; it would be installed in a privately built spacecraft. The end result would be a "commercially owned and operated robotic servicing vehicle (RSV) that could make house calls in space," Gordon Roesler, program manager for the project, wrote in a blog post.

DARPA and SSL will share costs for the program and is the first public-private program DARPA has operated for space-servicing, according to a press release.

SSL would eventually operate the robot, which would be available both to military and commercial satellites, the agreement outlines. SSL would charge a fee-for-service, though the government will receive reduced prices.

DARPA has also been looking for research about safety standards for robot servicing operations in space; except for the International Space Station and a few other low Earth orbit systems, this program represents the first time spacecraft could be repaired or upgraded on orbit, according to DARPA.

Ein News

 

« UK Accused Of 'full-frontal attack' On Whistleblowers
Ethics of Drones, Remote Weapons and Robots »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

CYRIN

CYRIN

CYRIN® Cyber Range. Real Tools, Real Attacks, Real Scenarios. See why leading educational institutions and companies in the U.S. have begun to adopt the CYRIN® system.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

Cyber Conflict Studies Association (CCSA)

Cyber Conflict Studies Association (CCSA)

Cyber Conflict Studies Association (CCSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to leading a diversified research agenda in the field of cyber conflict.

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

The Information Commissioner's Office is an independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest.

JPCERT/CC

JPCERT/CC

JPCERT/CC is the first Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) established in Japan.

Avast Software

Avast Software

Avast Software is a security software company that develops antivirus software and internet security services.

Entrust

Entrust

Entrust is a global leader in digital security, identities, payments, and data protection.

CSIRT-CY

CSIRT-CY

CSIRT-CY is the National Computer Security Incident Response Team for Cyprus.

Miratech

Miratech

Miratech is a global IT services and consulting organization offering a full range of IT infrastructure solutions and services including cyber security.

Learn How To Become

Learn How To Become

At LearnHowToBecome.org, our mission is to help any job-seeker understand what it takes to build and develop a career. We cover many specialist areas including cybersecurity.

Riddle&Code

Riddle&Code

Riddle&Code is a product-led services company specializing in onboarding industries to Web3. The team's mission is to provide a trusted connection between the digital and physical worlds.

HardSecure

HardSecure

Hardsecure supports organizations to face security threats through the adoption of cybersecurity capabilities that guarantee 360º monitoring, visibility, mitigation, and blocking.

Kocho

Kocho

Kocho (formerly TiG) is a provider of identity and access, cyber security, cloud transformation, and managed IT services.

Drumz

Drumz

Drumz plc is an investment company whose investing policy is to invest principally but not exclusively in the technology sector within Europe.

DerSecur

DerSecur

DerSecur has been engaged in advanced technology activities in the field of Application Security since 2011. We offer R&D technology solutions in the field of SAST, DAST and SCA analysis.

Xeol

Xeol

Software free of vulnerabilities, built and distributed by trusted entities. Our mission is to help customers secure their software from code to deploy.

BCX

BCX

BCX, a subsidiary within Telkom Group, is one of Africa’s largest systems integrator and digital transformation partners for enterprises and public sector organisations.

Prizsm Technologies

Prizsm Technologies

Prizsm is a computational storage capability that provides flexible, easy-to-use, resilient solutions for quantum-resistant, hyper-secure cloud storage and communications.