Discussions are underway about future uses of the now in orbit Orbital Express - a program led by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

Word is that NASA is interested in Orbital Express — actually two spacecraft: the robotic armed Astro vehicle and NextSat — for studying Mars return sample technologies and techniques and other return sample ideas.

On April 17, the Orbital Express system used its robotic right stuff to transfer propellant and a battery from one spacecraft to another.

The plan right now is to shut down Orbital Express mid-June, still loaded with lots of leftover fuel, and then deorbit the hardware.

Insiders tell me that NASA is pondering the idea of asking DARPA about taking the effort over, not only for practicing Mars return sample procedures, but other types of sample handling and in-space servicing concepts.

So stay-tuned for possible extended use of taxpayer dollars.