TECHNOLOGY

NASA to build robotic spacecraft to repair and refuel satellites\

NASA is building a a robotic spacecraft equipped with the tools and technologies needed to repair or refuel satellites currently in orbit.

The US space agency has awarded a USD 127 million contract to the California-based Space Systems/Loral of Palo Alto for Restore-L Spacecraft Bus and Support Services.

Space Systems/Loral will provide spacecraft bus, critical hardware and services for the development, deployment and operations of the Restore-L mission.

They also will provide related services to accomplish mission integration, test, launch and operations.

The Restore-L Project is managed within NASA's Satellite Servicing Projects Division at the agency's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland.

Restore-L is a free-flying mission projected to launch in 2020 to perform in-orbit satellite servicing in low-Earth orbit.