Orbital Recovery has signed an letter of intent to use the German DLR research centre's robotic technology on its Geosynchronous Spacecraft Life Extension System (SLES) "space tugboat" concept. The US firm will use the DLR's robotic capture tool to dock with telecommunication satellites in orbit.
Speaking at the On-orbit Servicing Workshop in Cologne, Germany, Orbital chief executive Walt Anderson said the agreement "will provide us with mature on-orbit robotic servicing technology". The deal covers two robotic capture tools to be delivered from 2004, in time for the first planned SLES mission in 2005. Subsequent tools will be produced as required.
Orbital is to enter into a long-term licensing agreement for other DLR technology - including a real-time imaging system to aid rendezvous and docking - which the company says will "reduce the risk to customers". The tug will dock by attaching itself to the satellite's apogee kick motor (Flight International, 10-16 September).
The SLES will use its own engines to reposition satellites which have decaying orbits, or which have been placed in erroneous orbits during launch. The system can maintain satellites in useful orbits for up to 10 years beyond their normal operational lives, says Orbital. First launch is now scheduled for 2005, with three launches a year planned when fully operational. Orbital says it has identified 43 satellites in orbit that are candidates for life extension using the SLES.
Source: Flight International
