In geosynchronous orbit, there are constant pulls from the moon, sun, Jupiter, and variations in the solar wind, all of which conspire to move a geosynchronous satellite out of its orbit. To counteract these pressures, GEO satellites have some fuel and thrusters on board. Once the fuel - the least expensive part of the satellite - runs out, the satellite becomes useless and starts drifting. Its electronics, solar panels, and instruments - the most expensive parts of the satellite - might be working just fine. Orbital Recovery has recently signed its first satellite-servicing mission. The company will be using a CX-OLEV (ConeXpress Orbital Life Extension Vehicle) space tug that fits into the currently-unused cone-shaped volume at the top of an Ariane rocket, piggybacking the tug onto the same launch as that of a larger, high-value satellite.
Once in low earth orbit, the space tug will deploy solar panels that power an ion engine for the climb to geosynchronous earth orbit. There, it will rendezvous with a target satellite which has run out of fuel. The CX-OLEV will push its nose into the target satellite's engine bell, and clamp on in a purely mechanical connection. Thereafter, the CX-OLEV acts as the target satellite's new engine and fuel supply.
This space tug system could extend the life of a high-value satellite by several years, easily paying for the tug many times over. When the tug's propellant runs out, it could be replaced by another tug, thus extending a valuable geosynchronous satellite's lifespan until its electronics, instruments, and solar panels die - in other words, indefinitely.
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