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NASA's robotic gas station can now also inspect satellites
It's been two years since the Robotic Refueling Mission (RRM) was last active aboard the ISS, but now it's back with new functions to offer. The RRM (seen above) was originally an experimental set of tools that can refuel the propellant tanks of satellites while in orbit. With the help of Dextre, the station's robotic arm, the Satellite Servicing Capabilities Office (SSCO) has dusted the module off and outfitted it with a brand new tool called "Visual Inspection Poseable Invertebrate Robot." VIPIR gives ground controllers the capability to inspect satellites in low-Earth/geosynchronous orbit and swap instruments out if needed without having to send a crew to space.
