Changing Satellite Design Performance

Satellite design is shifting. Satellites are increasingly engineered with operational lifespans that vary with orbit.

Satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) have their design life shortening to an average of 4 years. The introduction of Starlink and nano-satellites are driving the average lifetime down.

Farther out, in geostationary orbits (GEO), the expected satellite lifespan is increasing. The average satellite launched today is expected to last 15 years, with the longest lasting satellites expected to last 30 years.

Reviewing the data on GEO satellite end-of-life, most were decommissioned when fuel for station keeping [1] was exhausted, not for electronics failures or solar cell degradation. [2] This indicates that the upcoming business of satellite refueling [3] should enable even longer operation.

This trend of longer satellite life in GEO, plus successful operation of satellites for 30+ years, provides strong evidence that long life is possible in orbit. This indicates that space basedsolar power satellites (SBSP)can achieve operational lifespans that rival terrestrial power generation.

Data sourced for the Union of Concerned Scientists' satellite database [4]