NASA Cancels $2 Billion OSAM-1 Satellite Servicing Project

The decision comes after years of delays, cost overruns, and contractor Maxar's poor performance.

NASA has discontinued the OSAM-1 project, aimed at testing satellite servicing like fueling in space, due to escalating costs and schedule delays.
The project, which began nearly a decade ago, faced challenges including technical issues and a shift in the space community's interest away from refueling unprepared spacecraft.
Maxar, the lead contractor, was criticized for underestimating the project's complexity and lacking necessary expertise, contributing to the project's failure.
NASA plans to pursue potential new partnerships or alternative uses for the hardware developed for OSAM-1, while also mitigating the impact on the workforce at Goddard Space Flight Center.
The cancellation marks a significant setback in the nascent field of satellite servicing, which has seen limited success in early efforts by other companies.