SUMO wrestles satellites into new orbits

摘要

The Spacecraft for the Universal Modification of Orbits (SUMO) is a proposed unmanned orbital tow truck that would use robotic arms and mechanical hands to grab commercial or military satellites and move them to new orbits without damaging them. With flight software developed at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), SUMO's on-board computer would study images of target satellites—even friendly ones are called targets in the world of satellite servicing—and then plot the safest way to grab them. Usually, that would be by grasping the bolt holes or the ring that once attached the satellite to its launch vehicle. What is certain is that the target would not need any special equipment to be compatible with SUMO.