Satellite servicing

--- cygonaut wrote:

> The problem with non-LaGrange orbits (ie. LEO) is
> that sinking sensation. Will orbiting satellites
> be serviced?
>
> Or are these artificial falling stars?
>
Even LaGrange orbits need a little station keeping
(but we are talking decades here instead of years and
months like GEO and LEO orbits).

The largest killers of satellites is fuel, followed by
solar power panel degradation.

There is already a movement within the satellite
industry to create servicable satellites. DARPA
funded a study a few years back which led to a win by
Boeing for creating such a concept called Orbital
Express. I believe the first launch is suppose to be
in 2006. You can google on "Orbital Express" for more
information.

There is also a company out there working on becoming
garbage collectors of LEO. I've temporarily forgotten
their name though :( (Orbital Debris or Orbital
something-or-other)

Ryan Z