NASA Expanding Commercial ISAM Testing, New Agreement Signed
NASA and Astroscale U.S. have entered a five-year Space Act Agreement (SAA) to test rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) capabilities of Astroscale U.S.’s Astroscale Prototype Servicer for Refueling (APS-R) Refueler spacecraft at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). Goddard is a distinctly unique test site, most known for the development and on-orbit support of flight missions, such as the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing missions, Robotic Refueling Missions (RRM), and Raven; and the technology demonstration mission On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1).
The SAA between NASA and Astroscale U.S. is designed as a framework model for future umbrella agreements to enable efficient, scalable partnerships for other domestic companies pursuing commercial In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) solutions. The new agreement will provide Astroscale U.S. access to ISAM infrastructure across any NASA field center.
Dr. Clare Martin, Executive Vice President of Astroscale U.S. said of the effort, “Conducting orbital maneuvers to match the orbit and attitude of a client spacecraft, closely approach, and then dock to it — commonly known as RPOD — is a series of incredibly complex activities. We’re thrilled to enter into this Space Act Agreement with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, which provides one of the most flight-like testing environments available. This opportunity allows our team to test like we fly, leverage GSFC’s deep expertise in on-orbit servicing and assembly, and build on Astroscale’s global, flight-proven leadership in Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO).”
NASA’s aim is to cultivate similar partnerships, like NASA’s recently released Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO), with companies pursuing commercial ISAM missions. The goal of these partnerships is to lower barriers to entry for companies that may not yet have the infrastructure or algorithms required for sophisticated ground simulations.
Testing of Astroscale U.S.’s Refueler spacecraft at Goddard is expected to conclude in August 2025.
If interested in partnerships or use of these facilities, please contact Tammy Brown (tammy.l.brown@nasa.gov).