Washington. 20 April. INTERFAX - The US Space Command (SPACECOM) wants to have the capabilities to refuel and maintain satellites directly in Earth orbit by 2030, Defense news reported on Thursday.
So, the deputy commander of SPACECOM, Lieutenant General John Shaw, said yesterday that by the end of this decade, all new observation satellites should be equipped for refueling in orbit or have other equipment that will extend their service life.
He explained that the command is also interested in any development of maneuverable satellites, including those that monitor the situation in orbit and the objects on it. According to him, SPACECOM does not want to focus on a specific solution, but expects to see ideas from industry and federal agencies.
He added that SPACECOM plans to demonstrate new relevant technologies in space by 2026.
According to Defense news, SPACECOM is cooperating with the US Space Force (USSF) in order to obtain maneuverable satellites. In turn, the representative of the USSF, Major General Stephen Prudy, stated that the Space Forces are going to conduct tests in 2025 in order to determine the refueling parameters for their satellites, and that the USSF is looking for suitable options in the commercial sector.
In February, representatives of more than 40 companies attended an event organized by the USSF on this topic. For example, Orbit Fab plans to create an in-orbit refueling network - reusable spacecraft will deliver fuel from storage to satellites.
Lockheed Martin reported that they had achieved success in the Lockheed Martin's In-space Upgrade Satellite System (LINUSS) program - in using small satellites to service the most important components of the US space potential. In November, they launched the device as part of the USSF mission, and at the beginning of 2023, it demonstrated the ability to maneuver, approach other vehicles.
