Page 121 - International Space Station Benefits for Humanity, 3rd edition.

Expanding Capabilities and Fleet Flexibility of cryogens in orbit. RRM3 continues to advance
in Space satellite servicing, and also helps enable travel to
Cryogenic fluids are used on the ground and in space destinations such as the moon and Mars, since
to make sensitive cameras work better. However, cryogen can also serve as a potent propellant
in time, this extremely cold substance turns to gas necessary for deep space exploration.
and slowly vents away, along with camera detector NASA developed RRM to demonstrate how remotely
performance. According to Hsiao Smith, technical operated robot mechanics could extend the lives of the
deputy project manager of SSPD, robotically hundreds of satellites in space. Costly assets traveling
replenishing these reserves would allow spacecraft above Earth in low-Earth orbit and geosynchronous
instruments to last beyond their expiration date and Earth orbit, satellites deliver essential services such as
ultimately permit satellites to perform longer with weather reports, cell phone communications, television
renewed accuracy. broadcasts, government communications and air traffic
Smith explains that both the government sector and management. Servicing capabilities greatly expand the
commercial sector are focused on expanding options. options for government and commercial fleet operators
Satellite operators can choose to extend the life of an in the future, and could potentially deliver significant
aging observatory or spacecraft using a future cryogen- savings in spacecraft replacement and launch costs
toting space tanker instead of retiring or launching to satellite owners.
a new, costly one. The RRM demonstrations are an NASA continues to test capabilities for a new
important step to eventually enabling that capability. robotic servicing frontier, with a RRM3 in the works.
In conjunction with RRM, the SSPD team has been

Preparing for a Servicing-Enabled Future studying a conceptual servicing mission while building
the necessary technologies, including an autonomous
Since its 2011 launch to the space station on the rendezvous and capture system, a propellant transfer
last space shuttle mission, RRM has demonstrated system and specialized algorithms to orchestrate and
several important robotic satellite-servicing activities synchronize satellite-servicing operations.
in orbit. RRM used the space station as a test bed for
technology research and development in a joint effort RRM helps to usher in an era of serviceable spacecraft
with CSA. RRM was removed in 2017 and disposed that breaks the paradigm of “one and done,” thereby
of on SpaceX-10. making spaceflight more sustainable, affordable
and resilient.
The next phase, RRM3, is scheduled to launch
in November 2018, and will test the actual transfer

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