PARIS: Orbital Recovery Corporation has selected Ariane as the primary launch vehicle for its Geosynchronous Spacecraft Life Extension System (SLES). It has signed an agreement with Arianespace to orbit at least four SLES space tugs beginning in 2005.
SLES is designed to extend the useful lifetime of multi-million dollar telecommunications satellites by 10 years or more, and also is capable of rescuing satellites stranded in incorrect orbits.
SLES will be carried as a secondary payload on Ariane launches, with a liftoff mass of 500-800 kg, depending on the space tug's specific mission.
The agreement calls for an initial SLES launch on Ariane in the first quarter of 2005 followed by two more SLES flights the same year and furth4er launches thereafter.
Orbital Recovery Corporation is an aerospace technology company involved in satellite insurance services and risk management. It uses proprietary systems and techniques to significantly extend the in-service life of geostationary orbit telecommunications satellites - which today are junked when their on-board fuel supply runs out.
Orbital Recovery Corporation has identified more than 40 telecommunications satellites currently in orbit as candidates for life extension using the SLES.