servicing satellite

After failure of private rescue mission, NASA's Swift space telescope will crash back to Earth. But when and where?

By Leonard David Published 27 August 26

A private spacecraft failed to rescue NASA's Swift space telescope, meaning the big observatory will come crashing back to Earth in the near future. But details are sparse at the moment.

Private mission to save NASA's Swift space telescope fails

By Josh Dinner Published 19 August 26

A private spacecraft tasked with boosting the orbit of NASA's Swift Observatory has failed in its mission, meaning the telescope will crash back to Earth later this year.

Engineers race to save stricken LINK rescue spacecraft before it's too late

By Mike Wall Published 7 August 26

The private LINK spacecraft, which launched last month to save a NASA space telescope, now needs saving, too — and teams are making progress on that front.

2 Chinese spacecraft just met up 22,000 miles above Earth. What were they doing?

By Andrew Jones Published 18 June 25

A new Chinese refueling spacecraft met up with an older satellite in high Earth orbit this month, apparently marking a step forward in orbital servicing.

Satellites are polluting Earth's atmosphere with heavy metals. Could refueling them in orbit help?

By Tereza Pultarova Published 3 June 25

In-orbit servicing and refueling could help curb the environmental harm done by the space industry. But will operators subscribe to the greener business model? The jury is out.

Robot Space 'Gas Attendant' Could Salvage Old Satellites by 2015

By Mike Wall Published 16 February 12

Aerospace firm MDA is developing a spacecraft called the Space Infrastructure Servicing vehicle to refuel satellites.