Space Systems Loral (SSL) has been selected to supply a spacecraft bus to Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, US, for its low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite servicing mission.

Scheduled to be launched by 2020, the Restore-L satellite servicing mission will help extend the life of a LEO satellite.

In addition, the mission will use robotics to grasp, refuel and relocate an existing US government satellite already in LEO orbit, in order to demonstrate tools, technologies and techniques that can be implemented on future government and commercial missions.

"This mission will be a breakthrough in the way we think about satellites on orbit."

The SSL spacecraft bus will provide the structure and power to support the Restore-L mission.

SSL will also deliver critical hardware and services for development, deployment and operations such as services for mission integration, test, and launch.

SSL president John Celli said: "This mission will be a breakthrough in the way we think about satellites on orbit, which previously could not be touched after launch.

“By using the SSL 1300 production platform as the structure and power system for the spacecraft, the mission will benefit from the high-performance, reliability and value that has been proven on more than a hundred missions."

In August, Nasa selected SSL and two other companies to take part in its next space technologies for exploration partnerships-2 (NextSTEP-2) programme.

As part of the deal, the selected team will conduct a comprehensive feasibility study evaluating the conversion of rocket upper stages into habitats. 

Image: Artist rendering of Restore-L servicer built on SSL spacecraft bus. Photo: courtesy of SSL.