The European Space Agency (ESA) expects to launch a satellite in 2028 that will be used to maintain geostationary satellites, such as telecommunications satellites, in orbit, extending their useful life, it was announced today.
The mission, which is a first stage of technology demonstration, is part of ESA's sustainable use of space programme.
ESA announced in a statement that it has contracted the service with the aerospace company D-Orbit, which specializes in placing and removing satellites in Earth orbit.
D-Orbit, which has a subsidiary in Portugal dedicated to developing communications systems, will begin commercial services to extend the life of geostationary satellites if the demonstration mission is successful.
ESA's involvement, which has signed a €119 million contract with the Italian-based company, will end once the demonstration mission has proven that the RISE satellite has docked, maneuvered and finally released a geostationary satellite.
Geostationary satellites are satellites that appear to be stationary because they rotate at the same speed as the Earth, and can be as large as a school bus and weigh more than six tons, since they need to "support heavy communications payloads that require large solar panels to power them."
While the smaller, lighter RISE is docked and controls the altitude and orbit of its target satellite, the latter will maintain "its own power, communications with Earth, and fully functional payload."
RISE is equipped with the equipment required to dock with a satellite, "such as complex robotic systems, sensors to measure the distance to its target, and computers capable of autonomously controlling the satellite."
The satellite will dock with its target by "attaching itself to the ring" that originally connected the geostationary satellite to the rocket that carried it into space.
The service provided by RISE is intended for geostationary satellites that, for various reasons, such as lack of fuel or a technical failure, "cannot control their position in orbit, but are capable of continuing their mission" if 'assisted'.
After completing tests in a preparation orbit, the maintenance satellite will rise (rise, in English) to the so-called "geostationary graveyard", where satellites are 'parked' after their mission has come to an end.
RISE will remain in orbit for an expected period of eight years and the first 'client' will probably be a telecommunications satellite that, despite having little fuel, could still remain operational for some time, according to ESA.
