[Satellite TODAY Insider 01-04-10] NASA awarded an 18-month, $31.2 million contract to Lockheed Martin Space Systems to provide systems and discipline engineering support to develop and execute two demonstrations of new robotic servicing capabilities aboard the International Space Station, NASA announced Jan. 3.
    The first demonstration will use a customized payload task box, the Canadian Space Agency‘s Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (Dextre) two-armed robotic system, and specialized tools to robotically demonstrate refueling and repair tasks in orbit. During the second demonstration, Dextre will test and evaluate a variety of tools, sensors and instruments to support autonomous rendezvous and capture capabilities for orbiting spacecraft systems.
    NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is developing both demonstration payloads.