The era of reusability in space has begun

[soothsayer]

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Universe Today
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The era of reusability in space has begun - https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/04/the-era-of-reusability-in-space-has-begun/… by @SciGuySpace

Snip

A large, passenger van-sized spacecraft sidled up to an active, 6-ton satellite on Monday afternoon about 36,000 km above the Earth's surface. Slowly, ever so slowly, the distance between the two vehicles closed.

There was nothing wrong with the satellite, which is 17 years old and owned by Intelsat. All the while, on Wednesday, it continued actively delivering broadband and other media services across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. But it was running desperately low on fuel to maintain its position, and Intelsat would have soon had to send the vehicle to a "graveyard" orbit.


So Intelsat contracted with Northrop Grumman to test its new life-extension services. That led to the launch of Northrop's "Mission Extension Vehicle-2" last year, which used fuel-sipping electric propulsion to approach the orbit of Intelsat 10-02 and dock with the active satellite on Wednesday. As a result of this pairing, the satellite will now live on for five more years.

Jean-Luc Froeliger, vice president of space, space systems engineering and operations for Intelsat, said the cost of servicing is far less than the value of five additional years of satellite service. Waiting five years will also allow Intelsat to replace the 10-02 satellite with a more modern, efficient vehicle. "For us, it's win-win," he said during a teleconference with reporters. "This extension for 10-02 is very valuable to us."

[keithbvadu2]

1. What kind of fuel do they use?

What kind of fuel do they use?

I had to look it up.

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=satellite+fuel+system

Thrusters are burning hydrazine fuel – a very toxic and flammable substance that is even capable of igniting on its own. Metop satellites are launched with 300kg of fuel in their tanks, which is enough to maintain the orbit for up to 10 years.

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Different types of fuel

https://www.quora.com/What-sort-of-engine-and-fuel-does-a-satellite-use?top_ans=14006466

[soothsayer]

2. Interesting

[keithbvadu2]

3. Umpteen million miles per gallon.

Umpteen million miles per gallon.

And you can bet your bottom dollar, it ain't cheap.

[soothsayer]

4. Sounds scary to launch carrying it