Orbital ATK, a provider of aerospace and defense technologies, and Intelsat will together launch robotic space tugs aimed at extending the life of old satellites in space, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing industry sources.
The “tugs” will move large telecommunication satellites that have depleted fuel reserves, keeping them flying while also bringing in revenue for a few extra years. They are designed to use its own propulsion system to maintain an operational altitude of more than 20,000 miles, then disconnect and move on to rescue several other ailing satellites during a projected 15-year mission.
The deal could be announced as early as next month, the officials said. Despite years of delays, Orbital ATK has now committed tens of millions of dollars to build what it calls its first Mission Extension Vehicle. Last-minute problems could still delay or block a final agreement, but talks are far enough for officials of both companies to consider details of where and when an announcement will come.
The plan is to conduct a full-blown test of the technology in space by late 2018 and begin operations a few months later, said Tom Wilson, vice president of strategy and business development at Orbital ATK. If successful, the initiative could “change the way we manufacture satellites, and how we operate satellites,” he said in an interview.
With dozens of big telecommunications satellites running low on fuel each year, Wilson said the company plans to build and launch four additional, more-advanced tugs by 2020. In addition to repositioning satellites, the aim is to eventually fuel or repair ailing craft with robotic technology.
Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Canada’s MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates. have all expended resources in this area. A number of US government agencies, including the Pentagon’s primary research arm and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, also have provided seed money and encouraged development. In early 2012, Intelsat canceled a collaborative agreement with MacDonald Detwiler intended to pave the way for what would have been a more complex satellite-refueling procedure on orbit, though the Canadian firm has continued to work on its proposed servicing vehicle.
