NASA Cancels $2 Billion Satellite Servicing Mission Due to Contractor Struggles and Shifting Priorities
• NASA canceled $2 billion OSAM-1 satellite servicing project due to continued technical, cost, and schedule challenges • Cancellation follows critical October 2023 report citing prime contractor Maxar's "poor performance" underestimating complexity • Emerging industry trend of designing refuelable satellites made OSAM-1's approach of forcibly refueling outdated spacecraft less relevant • Maxar lacked necessary expertise, faced staffing issues, and delivered key components 2 years behind schedule • NASA will shutdown project, decide fate of hardware, minimize impact on workforce, and license technological developments