D-Orbit, 120 million Esa maxi-order to extend satellite life

Go into orbit with a satellite, hook up a second one that has reached the end of its life, position it elsewhere and relocate it in such a way as to prolong its activity. Science fiction, or almost, which is now about to become reality due to the choice of the European Space Agency, which will entrust this new mission to D-Orbit of Como with a maxi-contract worth almost 120 million.

Announcement made as part of the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, which is part of the broader Space Safety programme and where the key aspect of this contract is the development of an innovative satellite platform designed to demonstrate in-orbit servicing capabilities in geostationary orbit.

The mission, christened Rise, will demonstrate the ability to dock to a geostationary satellite, manoeuvre it and then release it. In fact, Esa explains in the project description, this activity opens the door to extending the operational life of geostationary satellites that for some reason, such as propellant exhaustion or partial failure, cannot control their position in orbit, but are otherwise able to continue their mission.

The mission, due to start in 2028, envisages the arrival of Rise (weighing three tonnes, including 800 kg of fuel) at an altitude of 36,000 km, and then, after testing its systems, moving 100 km higher up, to the range where end-of-cycle Jesostationary satellites are usually parked.

At this point, RISE will rendezvous with the client's active satellite, matching its speed and trajectory in the orbit of the graveyard. Once the anchorage is secured, RISE will change its attitude and orbit, demonstrating its ability to precisely manoeuvre the client's spacecraft. Thereafter, RISE will again let go of the satellite and position itself in a parking orbit between 'graveyard' and geostationary orbit in anticipation of its first commercial adventure.