NASA has made the tough decision to halt the ambitious $2 billion OSAM-1 project, focused on testing satellite refueling in space. The decision comes on the heels of scathing criticism directed at the project’s lead contractor, Maxar, citing “poor performance” by NASA’s auditor.
The On-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing 1 (OSAM-1) initiative, in development since 2015, aimed to revolutionize space exploration by refueling and extending the life of the aging Landsat 7 imagery satellite. However, a series of setbacks, including technical challenges, cost overruns, and scheduling issues, prompted NASA to discontinue the program after nearly a decade of effort.
In an official statement, NASA highlighted “continued technical, cost, and schedule challenges” and noted a shift in the broader space community away from refueling unprepared spacecraft, resulting in a lack of a committed partner for OSAM-1.
Approximately 450 personnel supporting OSAM-1 will be sustained through fiscal year 2024, according to NASA. Maxar, now split into Maxar Intelligence and Maxar Space Systems, expressed disappointment at the decision but committed to aiding NASA in exploring potential new partnerships or alternative hardware uses.
The critical October report from NASA’s Inspector General pointed fingers at Maxar for underestimating the project’s complexity, lacking a full understanding of NASA’s technical requirements, and facing deficiencies in necessary expertise. Delays and cost increases were attributed to Maxar’s performance, with the report suggesting OSAM-1 would likely surpass its $2.05 billion budget and miss its December 2026 launch date.
The cancellation comes months after Maxar delivered major spacecraft segments to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, with significant portions yet to be completed. This development raises questions about the future of satellite servicing, a nascent sub-sector in the space industry that has only recently gained traction, with Northrop Grumman’s extension missions serving as an early effort.
Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving landscape of space exploration.