The technology for orbital refueling of satellites is not economically justified, said the head of the United States Space Force (USSF), Chance Saltzman, at a hearing in the United States Congress. This was reported by the American portal SpaceNews on May 9.
According to Salzman, implementing technology to refuel spacecraft in low orbit (LEO) will cost more than increasing the production and launch of new satellites without the possibility of extending their useful life. He added that the cost of launching new satellites has fallen by 80% over the past decade thanks to the use of reusable launch vehicles and could fall further.
In addition, the short service life of low-orbit satellites allows savings in the design of new devices, as well as the rapid introduction of technical innovations into an intensively updated satellite constellation.
Let us keep in mind that the question of choosing a strategy for the development of a satellite constellation is primarily related to the growing capabilities of the Chinese space industry, which is growing faster than the American one and represents a direct threat to American dominance in space. .
Source: Rossa Primavera
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