GAO Issues Set of Policy Options for In-Space Servicing
Pointing to the various challenges facing the development of in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) technology, the Government Accountability Office last week laid out a set of policy options. GAO said a chief ISAM technology development hurdle is the "chicken-and-egg problem" -- ISAM providers are hesitant to develop technologies before there's a user base, while potential users are hesitant to create satellites that could be serviced in orbit until in-orbit servicing is commercially available. Adding to the problem is the fact that government and private satellite operators generally don't require their satellites to be designed for future servicing, such as refueling, GAO said, and there are few in-space opportunities for testing of ISAM technology.
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In its report, GAO laid out various policy options, including having agencies study the economic benefits and costs of serviceability, followed by such steps as requiring satellites to be capable of in-orbit repair, maintenance or technology upgrades. Another option would be to have government agencies and standards organizations clarify licensing or promulgate standards, it said.