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BELTSVILLE, Md. -- ATK 's [ATK] investment in its 15-month-old Robotic Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) Lab shows the company is serious about succeeding in the nascent market of satellite servicing, according to a company executive.
Defense Daily yesterday toured the approximately 3,600 square foot facility and caught a demonstration. ATK currently uses its RPO Lab for in-house research and development as it seeks its first customer for its ViviSat Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV). ATK representatives used two large, movable robots to demonstrate how the company tests its sensors and mechanisms to ensure that a satellite and the MEV could safely and properly dock together in space. ViviSat is a joint venture of ATK and U.S. Space LLC .
ATKspokeswoman VickiCox yesterday described satellite servicing as refueling, mission extension...