WASHINGTON — A satellite refueling nozzle developed by Northrop Grumman is the first to be selected as a preferred standard for U.S. military satellites, the company announced Jan. 29.
In a move that could shape the in-orbit satellite servicing market, the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command designated Northrop Grumman’s Passive Refueling Module (PRM) as a favored interface to enable future in-space refueling of military satellites. The PRM has a docking mechanism to allow a refueling vehicle in orbit to transfer propellant to another satellite to extend its useful life.
Northrop Grumman said the Space Systems Command, which oversees in-space logistics and services programs, also will support the company’s development of an orbital fuel tanker for geosynchronous orbit missions that would carry up to 1,000 kilograms of hydrazine fuel and deliver it to client satellites on demand.
Lauren Smith, program manager for in-space refueling at Northrop Grumman, said the selection of the PRM was based on the maturity and technical viability of the design, as well as the company’s experience servicing satellites in orbit. Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics subsidiary remains the only commercial firm to have successfully serviced satellites in geostationary orbit, having docked twice with client Intelsat satellites some 22,000 miles above Earth to extend spacecraft life.
Advantage in nascent market
The adoption of Northrop Grumman’s PRM, while not exclusive, marks the first time the Space Force has publicly identified a preferred system.
The Space Force is also evaluating other technologies, including a refueling interface developed by the startup Orbit Fab, known as the Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface (RAFTI). Other companies, such as Lockheed Martin and Astroscale, too, are developing interfaces to connect satellites with servicing vehicles.
Industry analysts have pointed out that setting technical…
Read the full article here