Space Systems Loral (SSL) has completed the Systems Requirements Review (SRR) for the Restore-L project that will demonstrate satellite servicing in LEO.
As announced on December 9, 2016, SSL is working with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to build a spacecraft that will use robotics to grasp, refuel, and relocate an existing US government satellite already in LEO orbit with the goal of demonstrating tools, technologies, and techniques that can be implemented on future government and commercial missions.
Artistic rendition of the Restore-L program in operation.
Image is courtesy of NASA.
The SRR, which occurred over a two-day period at the SSL satellite manufacturing facility in Palo Alto, California, enabled the SSL and NASA teams to work together to review and verify the functional and performance requirements defined for the Restore-L spacecraft. The requirements that the teams agreed upon will drive modifications to the SSL 1300 platform, which is commonly used for commercial missions in geostationary orbit. The spacecraft will provide the structural support, propulsion, attitude control, data and communications interface, and power to support the Restore-L robotic payload for the on-orbit demonstration.
SSL is contributing to a variety of next-generation government missions, including a NASA Discovery Mission to explore the metal asteroid called Psyche as well as the Dragonfly program, which will demonstrate on orbit satellite assembly.
Richard White of SSL Government Solutions“I congratulated the NASA and SSL teams on reaching this initial milestone for the Restore-L mission. He added that SSL has a record of partnering with government organizations to integrate commercially proven systems and processes that help to reduce costs and shorten schedules—completing the SRR is the first demonstration of the firm's successful collaboration on this program.”