this post was submitted on 09 Feb 2024
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US Space Force wants satellite 'jetpacks' to keep old spacecraft alive in orbit (www.space.com)
submitted 1 year ago by Wilshire to c/space
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[โ€“] SkybreakerEngineer 2 points 1 year ago (4 children)

So the solution is to strap a whole new bus to another bus... as opposed to just filling up the tank again?

[โ€“] Wilshire 19 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Nearly all satellites do not have a way to refuel the tank in orbit. Adding a docking and refueling mechanism adds to the cost and complexity of satellites and adds another point of failure. Another factor is that a satellites mission might be extended beyond its initially expected service life.

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