NASA has officially announced the termination of the ambitious $2 billion On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1) project. This decision comes after nearly a decade of development faced with significant technical, cost, and schedule challenges, alongside a shift in industry focus away from the concept of refueling spacecraft that were not originally designed for this purpose. Maxar Space Systems, the project’s prime contractor, has been highlighted for its role in the program’s shortcomings.
The OSAM-1 project, initiated in 2015, aimed at demonstrating the capability to repair and refuel the aging Landsat 7 imagery satellite in orbit, thereby extending its operational life. This endeavor represented a key step towards more sustainable space operations, including the potential for in-orbit manufacturing and assembly.
However, the project’s path was fraught with obstacles. An October report from NASA’s Inspector General cited “poor performance of Maxar” as a primary reason for the project’s cost overruns and delays. Additionally, the evolving landscape of satellite servicing and the lack of a committed partner for NASA have further complicated the project’s viability.
Maxar’s Role and Response
Maxar Space Systems, taken private by Advent International in May 2023, was split into Maxar Intelligence and Maxar Space Systems. The latter, responsible for spacecraft manufacturing, faced criticism for underestimating the project’s complexity and lacking the necessary expertise.
Despite delivering major segments of the spacecraft to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, incomplete key components and a reassessment of Maxar’s commitment to the project’s success prompted NASA’s decision to discontinue OSAM-1. Maxar has expressed commitment to supporting NASA through the shutdown process and exploring potential new partnerships or alternative uses for the developed hardware.
Implications for the Future of Satellite Servicing
The cancellation of OSAM-1 marks a significant moment in the nascent field of satellite servicing. While Northrop Grumman’s extension missions have begun to prove the concept’s viability, OSAM-1’s failure to launch highlights the challenges of pioneering complex, innovative technologies in space.
The industry’s shift away from servicing unprepared spacecraft may prompt a reevaluation of future missions and technologies, potentially focusing on satellites designed with servicing in mind from the outset.
