NASA Cancels Over-Budget and Behind-Schedule OSAM-1 Mission to Demonstrate Robotic Satellite Servicing Technology
In a surprising turn of events, NASA has decided to cancel the On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 mission (OSAM-1), a project aimed at demonstrating robotic satellite servicing technology in orbit. The decision comes after the mission’s cost skyrocketed to $1.5 billion, with an estimated additional cost of nearly $1 billion to get it to the launch pad. The cancellation was announced following an in-depth, independent project review that highlighted continued technical, cost, and schedule challenges.
Originally, the OSAM-1 mission was intended to showcase a refueling demonstration on an aging Landsat satellite in orbit. However, in 2020, officials expanded the mission’s scope to include in-orbit assembly objectives. This involved the addition of a 16-foot-long robotic arm called the Space Infrastructure Dexterous Robot (SPIDER) to assemble seven structural elements into a single Ka-band communications antenna. With this change, the mission’s name was changed from Restore-L to OSAM-1.
The cancellation of OSAM-1 is not only due to its exorbitant cost but also reflects a shift in the satellite servicing market. The satellite industry has moved away from refueling unprepared spacecraft, as demonstrated by OSAM-1’s intended refueling of the Landsat 7 satellite. Instead, companies are focusing on extending satellite life through other means, such as Northrop Grumman’s Mission Extension Vehicle, which provides maneuvering capability without refueling.
Maxar, NASA’s prime contractor for the OSAM-1 mission, was responsible for supplying the spacecraft platform and robotic assembly payload. However, NASA cited a lack of committed partners due to the evolving preferences of the broader community away from refueling unprepared spacecraft. Many of the capabilities that OSAM-1 would have demonstrated were no longer in demand in the commercial market.
Despite the cancellation, technologies developed as part of OSAM-1 will still be available for commercial licensing. However, there will be no additional technology maturation or flight demonstration. NASA plans to complete an orderly shutdown, including the disposition of sensitive hardware, pursuing potential partnerships or alternative hardware uses, and licensing applicable technological developments.
The cancellation of OSAM-1 raises concerns about Maxar’s performance on the project. NASA’s inspector general report attributed much of the mission’s cost growth and delays to Maxar’s poor performance on the spacecraft and SPIDER contracts. Maxar acknowledged that OSAM-1 was not a high priority for them in terms of staffing quality. The firm fixed price contracts with Maxar did not allow NASA to incentivize improved performance.
Approximately 450 NASA employees and contractors were working on OSAM-1, and NASA is currently reviewing how to mitigate the impact of the cancellation on the workforce at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, where the mission was managed.
While the cancellation of OSAM-1 is undoubtedly disappointing, NASA remains committed to exploring new partnerships and alternative hardware uses. The agency looks forward to future opportunities to collaborate with innovative and pioneering technologies.