This question appears in Mumbai University > Satellite Communication and Network subject

Marks: 10 M

Year: Dec 2013, May 2013

Lifetime of satellite

1. The useful lifetime of satellite can be determined by the maximum acceptable deviation in inclination and orbital location and reliability of the satellites sub systems.
2. A satellite is maintain in its orbital location by firing jet thrusters regularly using stored fuel. Hence lifetime of satellite depend upon fuel storage capacity of satellite. This method is used when applicable.
3. To increase the lifetime of the satellite we can increase the fuel capacity and we can also save fuel by accepting orbital deviations to the maximum limit possible.
4. Both the above techniques are used according to the application.
5. But there is practical limit to fuel storage capacity of the satellite because it increases the load of the satellite.
6. Hence alternative method which can be used to increase the lifetime of the satellite is to increase fuel efficiency which is used for propulsion.
7. Lifetime of satellite also depends on the quality of batteries used on board satellite and amount of power consumed by the satellite.
8. The lifetime of the satellite increases from 7-10 years to 12-15 years by improving the efficiency of the fuel.
9. The lifetime of the satellite also depends open the reliability of the hardware used in the satellite.
10. Therefore the lifetime of the satellite increases when the hardware used in the satellite is more reliable.