The European Space Agency has awarded D-Orbit a €119.6 million contract to conduct the agency’s first satellite life extension mission.
ESA and D-Orbit signed the contract on 14 October, during the first day of the International Astronautical Congress in Milan, Italy. The contract was awarded under the ESA Space Safety Programme.
“In-orbit servicing is the logical continuation of ESA’s sustainable approach to space,” explained Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General. “Extending the lifetime of satellites lets space operators generate more data and revenue from existing space assets, greatly improving both the sustainability and our competitiveness in space.”
Referred to as RISE, the mission will demonstrate the D-Orbit GEA satellite life extension vehicle’s ability to dock with a geostationary satellite, maneuver the satellite, and then release it. After this sequence is verified, ESA’s involvement in its operation will come to an end. The vehicle will then move into an operational phase with D-Orbit offering a life extension service to active geostationary satellite operators.
“During the development phase, we’re collaborating closely, leveraging our experience with pioneering new technologies and innovative approaches in space,” said Holger Krag, Head of Space Safety at ESA. “Once the demonstration is complete, D-Orbit will continue to operate the spacecraft for its own commercial endeavours.”
D-Orbit will be responsible for building and operating the satellite life extension vehicle and will also provide co-funding for the project on top of the €119.6 million being supplied by ESA. The mission is expected to be launched in 2028.
While satellite life extension will be the initial application for the D-Orbit GEA vehicle, the company envisions offering a suite of other in-orbit servicing options including relocation, repair, and disposal.
