About
Satellite Augmentation (SAM), a privately owned aerospace firm established by David Green, is based in Tampa, Florida, USA. The company was created to advance spacecraft development and introduce innovative technologies alongside affordable space flight services. Currently, SAM concentrates on conceptual design and prototype manufacturing processes for spacecraft, gaining recognition for its unique design methods.
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Satellite Augmentation, LLC, or “SAM,” is set for significant expansion within the Aerospace sector. The SRS System, which is patented, introduces a groundbreaking technique to prolong the life of satellites by refueling them, boosting their power, and reestablishing communication with inactive satellites. This system enables the reactivation of satellites in orbit with minimal impact on their missions. Furthermore, the SAM System is capable of executing a controlled de-orbit, safely removing dormant satellites from orbit through a managed burn process.
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According to the UCS-tracked satellite database, there are currently 8,261 satellites in orbit. The capability to rejuvenate satellites in space, with little to no effect on ongoing missions, supports both governmental and commercial entities by prolonging the operational lifespan of essential space assets. SAM proposes a cost-efficient and universal solution to achieve this. By adhering to industry standards, this innovative concept can swiftly progress to a proof-of-concept phase and then evolve into a practical model for end-users within a short timeframe. Beyond fueling capabilities, the SAM System can also provide power and communication to dormant satellites, thereby making space available for additional scientific endeavors.
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In terms of industry context, the Aerospace sector in the United States generates approximately $909 billion annually, while the regional market where SAM operates is projected to bring in around $19 billion in revenue each year.
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The applications of the Satellite Augmentation Module (SAM) can be classified into four main categories:
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1. Orbit correction:
a. Station-keeping: maneuvering satellites to maintain their nominal position or track.
b. Rescuing emergency capture and insertion of stranded satellites into desired orbits.
2. Collision risk mitigation:
a. Debris removal: removing space debris from highly populated regions.
b. Satellite retirement: moving dysfunctional satellites to “graveyard” altitudes or deorbiting them.
3. On-demand maneuvers:
a. Military: providing flexible and unpredictable relocation of US military satellites.
b. Civil: changing the location of a satellite due to a shift in the market or scientific interest.
4. The SAM System can be used to assess the current position, orientation, and operational status of satellites.
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As communication satellites in geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO) near the end of their operational lifespans, the satellite industry faces an important challenge - how to effectively manage the retirement and disposal of these large, complex, and incredibly valuable assets. The purpose of this analysis is to explore the business case for providing satellite asset management (SAM) services to commercial communication satellites in GEO at the time of their retirement. This is a particularly compelling opportunity, as the GEO satellite market has undergone a dramatic shift in recent decades, transitioning from being dominated by government and military activities to becoming a predominantly commercial arena. Today, commercial telecommunications make up approximately 75% of the entire GEO satellite sector. These GEO communication satellites represent massive investments, often costing hundreds of millions of dollars to design, manufacture, and launch. Yet, as long as the market demand for their services remains strong, they can also be immensely profitable over their multi-decade operational lifetimes. This creates a strong incentive for satellite operators to maximize the useful life of their assets through effective end-of-life management. The analysis has investigated the potential market for SAM services in this context, as well as the benefits offered by competing options for retiring and disposing of GEO satellites. The results and recommendations are based on a thorough sensitivity analysis to account for changes in key assumptions that could impact the business case, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and risks involved. Ultimately, this assessment aims to provide satellite operators with the insights needed to make informed decisions about the most effective ways to manage their valuable GEO communication assets as they reach the end of their service lives.
Mission
Defining the way we Service Satellites
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Since the advent of satellite technology in 1958 with Explorer I, the U.S. and other countries have sent thousands of satellites into orbit costing millions of dollars per satellite. Today, many of those satellites are still in orbit; most of which have a lifespan of fewer than five years; to retain existing levels of operational capability, new satellites must be developed and launched before existing satellites run out of fuel and begin disintegrating into our atmosphere and in many cases falling to earth at risk to populated areas. In general, a satellite’s life span is not driven by the capability but by the amount of fuel, the satellite has available to maneuver. Satellites require the ability to maneuver to achieve specific orbits or to move out of harm’s way if a possible collision is detected. Once the fuel has been exhausted, the countdown begins and the loss of a satellite, no matter how mission-critical it may be, is imminent.
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Satellite Augmentation has developed a revolutionary and novel approach to extending a satellite’s lifespan. The ability to re-energize a satellite in orbit, with little to no mission impact, will enable both the Government and the commercial space industry, with the ability to extend the life of their most critical space assets. The idea proposed by Satellite Augmentation offers a cost-effective, universal method, to accomplish the latter. Combined with our patented design, by utilizing industry standards, and commercial off-the-shelf components, this novel idea can quickly move into a proof-of-concept stage and be followed with a viable concept that can be transitioned to the end-user within an accelerated period of time.
Vision
We’re setting the Standard for how the World Maintains Satellites in Orbit
“The best way to get to the future is to invent it”
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At Satellite Augmentation, we envision a future where satellite maintenance is revolutionized, setting the standard for how the world maintains satellites in orbit. Our mission is to invent the future of space technology, ensuring that every satellite can achieve its maximum potential lifespan, regardless of its original design.
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Through our pioneering SAM spacecraft, equipped with cutting-edge tools, technologies, and techniques, we are committed to extending the operational life of satellites. Our innovative capabilities, including autonomous satellite rendezvous, refueling, and repositioning, will redefine satellite servicing in Earth's expanding space orbits.
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By demonstrating the first-of-its-kind technology in space, we aim to create a carefully curated suite of satellite servicing solutions that will enhance the longevity of existing satellites and reduce the need for costly replacements. Together, we are shaping a sustainable space exploration and satellite management future.
