spacetoday.net: SSL backs out of satellite servicing program with DARPA

Posted: Sat, Feb 2, 2019, 10:31 AM ET (1531 GMT)
Space Systems Loral (SSL) said Wednesday it was terminating an agreement with DARPA to develop a satellite servicing system. SSL, a division of Maxar Technologies, said it backed out of a 2017 agreement with DARPA on the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satelites (RSGS) program to "focus its resources on ensuring optimal returns when weighed against other capital priorities," such as the WorldView Legion system of remote sensing satellites. Maxar said it also canceled a contract with Space Infrastructure Services, a company it created that would have commercialized the RSGS servicer after a DARPA demonstration. DARPA said it will be "evaluating multiple options for the RSGS program going forward," which could include a recompetition of the program.