PARIS — Several large commercial satellite fleet operators expressed serious reservations about the utility of a in-orbit satellite refueling and said the idea of shortening geostationary-orbit satellite lives to save money also looks like a nonstarter.
In interviews and conference briefings in September and October, officials from Hispasat, SES and Eutelsat said that while they believed that in-orbit satellite construction is a long-term goal, extending satellite lives with refueling may not be the best place to start the business.
“I don’t see lifetime extension as . . .
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