DAIMLER-BENZ Aerospace's (DASA) Space Infrastructure division in Bremen is constructing a 70kg prototype free-flying servicing spacecraft, dubbed the Inspector.
The commercial feasibility of the vehicle, which will be used to inspect and repair spacecraft, will be studied jointly by DASA, RSC Energia of Russia and Rockwell Aerospace under an agreement signed in June.
The Inspector will be launched on a concept-validation mission to the Russian Mir space station in January 1997 on a Progress-M resupply rocket. During the mission, the Inspector will be manoeuvred near the Progress and Mir.
Discussions are under way with NASA about returning the Inspector aboard the Space Shuttle.
The spacecraft will be controlled remotely from a Shuttle or space station as inspections of the work area are carried out.
Source: Flight International