Intelsat, MDA sign satellite serving deal
Posted: Wed, Mar 16, 2011, 6:11 AM ET (1011 GMT)
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) announced Tuesday a first-of-its-kind deal with Intelsat for servicing satellites in geosynchronous orbit. Intelsat will serve as the anchor customer for MDA's proposed Space Infrastructure Servicing (SIS) vehicle. The SIS spacecraft would rendezvous with spacecraft in GEO and refuel them, extending their lives. The spacecraft's robotic system could also be used to perform spacecraft repairs, such as freeing jammed solar arrays, and even capture orbital debris. Intelsat, through its Intelsat General subsidiary, will resell those services to US government customers as well. The value of the deal was not disclosed, but estimated to be up to $200 million, assuming 1,000 kilograms of propellant is transferred to four to five satellites, adding several additional years of operations to each.
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) announced Tuesday a first-of-its-kind deal with Intelsat for servicing satellites in geosynchronous orbit. Intelsat will serve as the anchor customer for MDA's proposed Space Infrastructure Servicing (SIS) vehicle. The SIS spacecraft would rendezvous with spacecraft in GEO and refuel them, extending their lives. The spacecraft's robotic system could also be used to perform spacecraft repairs, such as freeing jammed solar arrays, and even capture orbital debris. Intelsat, through its Intelsat General subsidiary, will resell those services to US government customers as well. The value of the deal was not disclosed, but estimated to be up to $200 million, assuming 1,000 kilograms of propellant is transferred to four to five satellites, adding several additional years of operations to each.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
New Virgin Galactic spaceplane arrives at Spaceport America
Posted: Sat, Oct 31 10:38 AM ET (1438 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, November 4
10 asteroid mysteries that Hera will explore
ESA — 5:56 am ET (1056 GMT) Time to wake up MetOp-SG-B1 weather satellite
ESA — 5:55 am ET (1055 GMT) Russia’s Starlink Rival Is Already Getting a Secret Upgrade After Its Last Satellites Ran Into Trouble
United24 Media — 5:54 am ET (1054 GMT) Germany arrests suspected mastermind of Starlink station arson in Poland
TVP World — 5:54 am ET (1054 GMT) US Space Force Guardians will join Army Rangers, Navy SEALS, and other special forces in a new command
Business Insider — 5:52 am ET (1052 GMT) |
