The tool resembles an old movie reel, as you can see above, though its cameras clearly signify that it's a lot more advanced than its lookalike. Two of those three cameras are tiny and are already used for medical purposes like endoscopy. According to SSCO deputy manager Benjamin Reed, the RRM team decided to add the new tool, because it's one of the community's most requested features: When we asked the satellite community about their needs, we repeatedly heard how valuable an inspection capability could be for insurance companies and satellite manufacturers. Being able to see exactly how or why a component failed on orbit could mean the difference between launching more spacecraft with the same faulty design, or making a fix on the ground assembly line. The RRM will begin testing and demonstrating its new capabilities later this year, so we'll most likely hear how VIPIR fared by the end of 2015 or early 2016. [Image credit: NASA]
later this year since RRM 's NASA ( Robotic Refuelling Mission ) was active, the system now has a new function to offer: RRM can now refuel satellite tanks, hold visual inspections in low orbit and replace instruments if needed without the need for a crew. Testing and demonstrations of the new capabilities will be demonstrated Two years .