/sci/ - Science & Math

>>11370106
On-orbit assembly technology hasn’t reached a sufficient level yet for this type of project to be undertaken. The most ambitious on-orbit assembly project currently being undertaken is Maxar’s Space Infrastructure Dexterous Robot, or SPIDER demonstration:

>Maxar Technologies on Jan. 31 announced a $142 million NASA contract to demonstrate in-space assembly using a robotic arm.

>Maxar’s demonstration contract calls for the in-orbit assembly of multiple antenna reflector dishes into one single reflector. Communications satellites use reflectors to beam television channels and internet connectivity to users.

>Maxar said SPIDER’s demonstration could show how commercial satellites and telescopes could carry fixtures currently too large to fit inside rocket payload fairings.

>Maxar said NASA will select the launch vehicle for Restore-L, equipped with SPIDER. They declined to give a launch time frame more specific than the “mid-2020s.”

https://spacenews.com/maxar-wins-142-million-nasa-robotics-mission/