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Space
Space
Science
Brett Tingley

US Space Force wants satellite 'jetpacks' to keep old spacecraft alive in orbit

A cube-shaped spacecraft covered in gold foil with two large solar panels extending outward from it. stars can be seen behind it.

The U.S. Space Force is eyeing a number of options to extend the life of satellites that have run out of fuel.

One of those options, described as a "jetpack," is a small propulsion unit that can be added on to existing spacecraft already in orbit. Several of these ideas were presented at the Space Mobility Conference in Orlando, Florida in late January. 

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