ORLANDO, Fla. — Following Northrop Grumman’s recent announcement that its satellite refueling port was selected as the preferred standard for military satellites, a Space Systems Command official said the company’s statement has been misinterpreted as making Northrop the sole provider.
A Northrop Grumman-designed refueling nozzle for satellites, known as the Passive Refueling Module, underwent a review by the Space Systems Command’s systems systems integration office and was approved for use on high-value national security assets — but this does not represent a downselect, Col. Joyce Bulson, director of servicing, mobility and logistics, told reporters Jan. 31.
During a meeting with reporters at SpaceCom, an industry conference, Bulson insisted that the command continues to evaluate other refueling solutions for potential use.
She explained that Northrop Grumman’s Passive Refueling Module (PRM) was developed with government funding so it went through a specialized assessment as government-owned intellectual property. This led to its approval as a refueling standard for military satellites. However, Bulson stressed, this does not preclude adopting other commercially developed options.
Bulson’s comments suggest there was industry backlash after Northrop’s announcement led some to conclude it had won an exclusive monopoly, and that the selection of PRM could chill commercial investment and innovation.
Competition continues
To be sure, Northrop Grumman officials when discussing the announcement pointed out that the selection of the PRM was not exclusive.
The Space Systems Command intends to continue to promote competition in the industry, Bulson said.
“There is a refueling port, the PRM, and there are other refueling ports that we’re looking at and that we have on contract,” said Bulson.
The Space Systems Command’s Systems Integration Office reviewed the PRM and recommended it. “There isn’t…
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