Shown here is an artist’s concept of a manned Space Tug servicing a communications satellite. Servicing of satellites will be economical and desirable in many cases in the future. However, the satellites will have to be designed to permit servicing. Existing satellite systems which are designed without consideration of inspace maintenance probably could not be effectively serviced even by a highly sophisticated maintenance kit used in conjunction with a manned Tug.
Image credit: NASA
File source: NASA NTRS
