NASA’s ambitious $2 billion satellite refueling project has come to a disappointing end after a decade of development. The project, known as the On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1), aimed to build a robotic arm capable of refueling old satellites in space. However, budget issues, delays, and technical setbacks have forced NASA to discontinue the effort.
The OSAM-1 project, which began in 2015, had a budget that grew to $2.05 billion by 2022. Despite the initial promise, an independent review revealed ongoing challenges in terms of technical feasibility, cost, and schedule. As a result, NASA made the difficult decision to abandon the project.
The primary objective of the OSAM-1 project was to refuel the Landsat 7, a US satellite launched in 1999 that was not designed for refueling in orbit. The robotic arm, called the Space Infrastructure Dexterous Robot (SPIDER), was also intended to be used for setting up antennas. However, the space industry has been moving towards satellites that are already built with refueling capabilities, making the need for OSAM-1 obsolete.
One of the major setbacks for the project was the lack of a committed partner. California-based Maxar Technologies was contracted to provide the spacecraft and robotic arm for OSAM-1. However, an audit report in October 2023 criticized Maxar for its poor performance and inability to meet deadlines. The contractor admitted to underestimating the scope and complexity of the work and lacking the necessary expertise to meet NASA’s standards.
The audit report also revealed that Maxar’s delays were due to poor prioritization and staffing issues. The company failed to run required tests before delivering the spacecraft to NASA. As a result, NASA had to provide unplanned manpower and engineering support to help Maxar deliver on its contract.
The total cost of the OSAM-1 project was initially estimated to be around $753 million but eventually ballooned to $2.05 billion by 2022. This cost overrun, combined with the ongoing challenges and lack of a committed partner, led NASA to make the difficult decision to cancel the project.
NASA is now focused on mitigating the impact of the cancellation on the staff at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, where the project was based. The agency has 450 staff and contractors working on OSAM-1 and plans to support the project workforce through fiscal year 2024.
While the cancellation of the OSAM-1 project is undoubtedly a setback for NASA, it highlights the challenges and complexities involved in developing advanced technologies for space exploration. Despite the disappointment, NASA will continue to push forward with its mission to explore and understand the universe, seeking new opportunities for innovation and discovery.