CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - A prototype satellite repair robot that can refuel, upgrade and repair satellites was launched from Florida on Thursday night to begin a three-month orbital field test.
The two-satellite system, called Orbital Express, was developed by the U.S. military in cooperation with NASA to extend the lives of spy satellites and lay the groundwork for the servicing and repair of government-owned spacecraft and telescopes after the space shuttle fleet is retired.