ON-ORBIT SERVICING

Large telecommunications satellites typically cost in excess of $250 million to place in orbit, with an average useful on-orbit life of 10-15 years. Once their on-board propellant has been depleted, the satellites are boosted into a disposal orbit and decommissioned, even though their revenue-generating communications relay payloads are still functional.

Orbital Satellite Services' SMART Orbital Life Extension Vehicle (SMART-OLEV™) is a new-generation spacecraft that will significantly prolong the operating lifetimes of these valuable telecommunications satellites.
After launch, the SMART-OLEV will operate as an orbital "tugboat" – supplying the propulsion, navigation and guidance to maintain telecom satellites their proper orbital slots for up to 12 additional years. With its ability to dock/undock up to five times, a single SMART-OLEV can be used to service one or several satellites.

Its life extension services are targeted for a full range of customers, from emerging telecommunications operators looking to maximize their investments to established companies that will employ SMART-OLEV in the management of their satellite fleets.

During the next 10 years alone, there are more than 140 viable commercial satellites due for decommissioning that are suitable for life extension with the SMART-OLEV.  In addition, the SMART-OLEV can be deployed to “rescue” satellites stranded in incorrect orbits as the result of launch vehicle failures – moving the spacecraft to its intended revenue-generating orbital slot.