Test satellite maintenance robot

The US Aerospace Industries (NASA) is launching its first round of experiments in developing a robot capable of repairing and refueling satellites in space.

Thousands of satellites are orbiting Earth, but a significant portion of them are just 'zombie' satellites, only satellites drifting after the end of the cycle.

NASA is putting a lot of hope into the robot Dextre - (Image: NASA)

The mission of NASA's Fuel Loader (RRM) has been deployed to test whether space-based satellites can be repaired and refueled by remote control.

NASA hopes the technology will be deployed in the future to improve the lifecycle of many telecom satellites that have been outdated.

According to Space Daily, the test will be conducted in about five days on the International Space Station (ISS).

Land experts will remotely control the Dextre robot to do everything from cutting power wires, removing valve covers and even fueling.

NASA's team hopes the tests will pave the way for satellites to service the world's most expressive super-highways, or geostationary orbits.