First European Commercial Life Extension Mission Announced
SES and Infinite Orbits Sign Agreement for Endurance Vehicle Mission
An agreement has been reached between SES and Infinite Orbits for one geostationary satellite life extension mission, marking the first commercial life extension mission in Europe. The mission will be carried out by Endurance, a 750kg (≈1,650 pound) docking vehicle designed for life extension missions.
“Extending the operational life of our GEO satellites is important for delivering continued value to customers and optimizing satellite economics.”
Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES
The launch of Endurance is currently planned for late 2027, and is expected to dock with one SES geostationary satellite following an in-orbit demonstration. This life-extension vehicle has been designed to offer Infinite Orbits’ clients a new generation of in-orbit services, including station keeping, pointing management, orbital relocation and end-of-life disposal.
“We started Infinite Orbits with a focused goal to master a set of technologies allowing for competitive in-orbit services. To change the way we use space, in-orbit services must not only be safe, but they must also be compatible with our customers’ needs,” said Adel Haddoud, CEO of Infinite Orbits. “We firmly believe that this is essential if we are to offer operators new opportunities to optimize their assets and promote a more sustainable approach to space.”
“Extending the operational life of our GEO satellites is important for delivering continued value to customers and optimizing satellite economics,” said Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES. “At the same time, we remain committed to advancing space sustainability through innovative approaches. We are excited to collaborate with Infinite Orbits to enable responsible use of space while ensuring long-term service continuity.”