Maneuver Could Double Satellites’ Lifetimes by Cutting Fuel Demand

WASHINGTON — Comsat Corp. said Thursday it has developed a positioning maneuver that can double the lifetime of existing communications satellites, thereby easing a launch backlog caused by the shuttle Challenger explosion.

William L. Mayo, president of Comsat General, said the maneuver--which the firm is patenting and hopes to sell to other satellite owners--can reduce a satellite’s need for fuel from 37 pounds a year to three.

“We are quite confident the lifetime will increase at least 50% and in some cases double,” Mayo said. Comsat General is a subsidiary of the corporation, which provides telecommunications services and products to industry, government and other organizations.

$100-Million Investments

Communications satellites, which represent investments of $100 million and up before they produce any revenue, generally have lifetimes of seven to 10 years. The electronics components usually outlast the fuel needed to keep satellites from drifting away from their duty station 22,300 miles over the Equator.

At that altitude, a satellite’s orbit matches the Earth’s rotation and it appears to hover over one spot.

Under the new system, satellites would be tilted slightly and allowed a natural north-south drift of about 400 miles a day. Ground antennas would be programmed to follow the movement, which is predictable.

Mayo said with lessened fuel needs, new satellites can be built with more capacity or less weight.