NASA has decided to cancel a mission that aimed to demonstrate the ability to refuel and repair satellites in orbit, citing technical, cost, and schedule challenges. The mission, known as On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1), had a budget of $1.5 billion and was expected to launch in 2026.
OSAM-1: A mission with multiple objectives
OSAM-1 was originally conceived as Restore-L, a mission to refuel the Landsat 7 satellite, which has been operating since 1999. In 2020, NASA added another objective to the mission: to assemble a Ka-band communications antenna in space using a robotic arm called Space Infrastructure Dexterous Robot (SPIDER). The mission was renamed OSAM-1 to reflect the expanded scope.
The mission was intended to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of servicing and building satellites in orbit, which could extend their lifetimes, reduce space debris, and enable new capabilities. NASA hoped that OSAM-1 would pave the way for future missions that could service and assemble more complex spacecraft, such as the James Webb Space Telescope.
OSAM-1: A mission plagued by problems
However, OSAM-1 faced numerous difficulties throughout its development. The mission was delayed by several years and exceeded its original cost estimate by more than $1 billion. A report by NASA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) in October 2023 found that the mission suffered from poor management, unrealistic assumptions, and technical issues.
One of the main sources of trouble was Maxar, the contractor that supplied both the spacecraft bus and the SPIDER payload. Maxar delivered the spacecraft bus two and a half years behind schedule and was running more than two years late with the SPIDER components. Maxar admitted that they had underestimated the complexity and scope of the work.
Another factor that contributed to the cancellation of OSAM-1 was the lack of a committed partner for the refueling demonstration. NASA had originally planned to refuel Landsat 7, but the satellite’s operators, the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, declined to participate, citing concerns about the risks and benefits of the operation. NASA then sought other potential partners, such as commercial or international satellite operators, but none agreed to join the mission.
OSAM-1: A mission with an uncertain future
NASA announced on March 1, 2024, that it was canceling OSAM-1 after an in-depth, independent project review. The agency said that it would start the process of shutting down the project, which would include transferring hardware and pursuing potential partnerships or alternative uses for the hardware. NASA also said that it would review how to mitigate the impact of the cancellation on the workforce at the Goddard Space Flight Center, which was leading OSAM-1.
NASA did not specify what would happen to the partially built spacecraft and the SPIDER payload, which have a combined value of nearly $316 million. The agency said that it would explore options to use them for other purposes, such as technology demonstrations, science missions, or commercial ventures. NASA also said that it would continue to support other initiatives related to on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing, such as the Archinaut One mission, which aims to 3D-print and assemble a solar array in orbit.
NASA’s decision to cancel OSAM-1 has drawn mixed reactions from the space community. Some have applauded the agency for being prudent and realistic, while others have lamented the loss of a valuable and innovative mission. OSAM-1’s fate also raises questions about the future of satellite servicing and the role of NASA in advancing this technology.
