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Ariane 5 to Launch a Unique "Space Tug" and Rescue Vehicle
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February 27, 2003

A unique new "space tug" and rescue vehicle for telecommunications
satellites will be launched by Ariane 5 beginning in 2005 under terms 
of an agreement signed by Arianespace and Orbital Recovery 
Corporation.

The Geosynch Spacecraft Life Extension System (SLESTM) is designed to
extend the useful lifetime of multi-million dollar telecommunications
satellites by 10 years or more, and also is capable of rescuing 
satellites stranded in incorrect orbits.

Ariane 5's mission flexibility was one of the deciding factors in 
Orbital Recovery Corporation's selection of the launcher as the 
primary launch vehicle for SLES missions.

The agreement calls for an initial SLES launch on Ariane 5 in the 
first quarter of 2005, followed by two more SLES flights in 2005. The 
launch contract provides for additional launches in 2005 and beyond.

Details on the agreement were announced today at the Satellite 2003
conference and exhibition in Washington, D.C.

SLES will be carried as a secondary payload on Ariane 5 launches, with 
a liftoff mass of 500-800 kg., depending on the space tug's specific 
mission.

Operating as an orbital "tugboat," the SLES will supply the 
propulsion, navigation and guidance to maintain a telecom satellite in 
its proper orbital slot for many years. Currently, telecommunications 
spacecraft are placed in a graveyard orbit as they deplete their 
on-board propellant loads near the end of the typical 10-15-year 
operation lifetimes, even though their relay payloads continue to 
function.

Orbital Recovery Corporation has identified more than 40 
telecommunications satellites in orbit today that are candidates for 
life extension using the SLES.

In addition, the SLES will be used to rescue spacecraft that have been
placed in a wrong orbit, or which have become stranded in an incorrect
orbital location during positioning maneuvers.

The SLES is designed to link up with all telecommunications satellites 
now in space or on the drawing boards. After launch on Ariane 5, the 
SLES will rendezvous with the telecommunications platform, approaching 
it from below for docking. The linkup will use a docking system that 
connects to the telecom satellite's apogee kick motor.

Apogee kick motors are used by nearly every telecommunications 
satellite for final orbit boost, and they provide a strong, easily 
accessible interface point for the SLES' linkup that is always within 
the satellite's center of gravity. In addition, apogee kick motors are 
not considered technologically sensitive equipment, eliminating any 
concerns about tech-transfer issues in preparing the SLES for its 
linkup in space with international satellites.

Control of the SLES will be handled by Orbital Recovery Corporation
following the space tug's launch and during its initial free-flight 
phase.  Docking and checkout of the SLES with the telecommunications 
satellite will be a joint effort of Orbital Recovery Corporation and 
the telecom satellite operator. Once the docking and checkout has been 
completed, long-term control will be handed over to the satellite 
operator - with technical support and service by Orbital Recovery 
Corporation throughout the operating lifetime.

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