The in-space economy is developing rapidly as companies work to commercialize satellite servicing, refueling, and robotics, speakers said at SATELLITE 2022’s robotics and satellite servicing panel.
Robert Hauge of Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics drew an analogy to cars: no one would buy a new car if it stopped when it ran out of fuel. With over 400 satellites in GEO, the servicing market is large. “Our business model will allow you to extend the life [of a satellite] six to seven years.”
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Al Tadros of Redwire said profitability is the key driver: “The opportunity here is what are the architectures of the future that will be more profitable? We build spacecraft largely to survive launch. We need to build systems that are optimized for the operational environment in space.” He cautioned: “Robotics in space has to be proportional in terms of costs. It can’t be three times more expensive.”
Daniel Faber, CEO of Orbit Fab, which is developing in-space satellite refueling, said: “Once you have fuel you can start recycling equipment. You can think about what this means in terms of repurposing. You think about flexibility and business models. Reuse, launch less, means you run things more efficiently.”
Ron Lopez of Astroscale U.S. called the shift a “paradigm shift”: “It will allow owners/operators to think about their business models in a different way, what they launch, how they launch. It will enhance space sustainability as well as the bottom line.” VS
