DARPA’s Robots

After completing testing, the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) payload resides in the cryogenic thermal vacuum chamber at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Naval Center for Space Technology in Washington, D.C. Oct. 8, 2024. Once on-orbit, the RSGS payload will inspect and service satellites in geosynchronous orbit. Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Sarah Peterson





The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and DARPA have developed a robotic payload capable of servicing satellites in orbit.

This payload, designed to perform repairs and upgrades, promises to revolutionize satellite operations by enhancing longevity and reducing costs associated with satellite servicing. With successful thermal vacuum testing and a partnership with Northrop Grumman, the project is poised for a 2026 launch, setting the stage for a new era of resilient and adaptable space infrastructure.

Transforming Space Operations: NRL and DARPA’s Robotic Revolution
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Naval Center for Space Technology (NCST), in collaboration with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), has successfully completed the development of a spaceflight-qualified robotics suite designed to service satellites in orbit. The milestone was achieved on October 8.       READ MORE...