US Military uncertain about ISAM

Although interested in satellite refuelling services, the US military remain to be convinced by other ISAM services, reports SpaceNews. 

The US military operates some of the most expensive geostationary satellites, so keeping them functioning for as long as possible is high priority, and refuelling has attracted their attention.  However more advanced services, such as component replacement or repair, have yet to win buy-in from this key potential early customer, likely due to technical uncertainties and budgetary constraints.  

Lori Gordon, director of the Space Enterprise Evolution Directorate at Aerospace Corp., highlighted the need for clear pathways to government contracts and moves to increase investor confidence to avoid innovative technologies being stuck at the prototype stage, and failing to become viable products.