Eutelsat Contracts Infinite Orbits for GEO Extension
Infinite Orbits secures its third life-extension mission as Eutelsat signs a deal to prolong the operational lifespan of its GEO fleet using Endurance spacecraft.
Orbital Asset Preservation
French satellite-servicing firm Infinite Orbits has secured a mission agreement with Eutelsat to extend the operational life of at least one Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite. Announced at the International Space Summit in Paris, the deal marks the third major contract for the Toulouse-based startup, following similar agreements with SES and Hispasat.
According to Payload, the mission utilizes the Endurance spacecraft, a servicer designed to rendezvous and dock with unprepared assets. Typical GEO satellites face decommissioning after approximately 15 years due to fuel depletion; Infinite Orbits provides a roughly five-year lifespan injection. CEO Adel Haddoud noted that while specific costs remain confidential, the business case is clear: the price of the extension is lower than the projected revenue generated by the additional years in orbit.
Industrial Scaling
To meet rising demand, Infinite Orbits has inaugurated a 1,000-square-meter assembly and testing facility in Toulouse. This site will house production for the Orbit Guard (inspection) and Endurance (servicing) lines. The roadmap to the Eutelsat mission includes several critical milestones:
- Rendezvous Demos: Three Orbit Guard test flights are scheduled for 2027.
- Military Contracts: A surveillance mission for the French MoD.
- LEO Testing: "Tom and Jerry" smallsats will conduct proximity maneuvers in Low Earth Orbit via Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum rocket.
Following a 2027 servicing mission for SES, Infinite Orbits will proceed with the Eutelsat deployment. As GEO operators shift from deorbiting to life extension, the infrastructure for a circular orbital economy is rapidly maturing.