The end of life problem of GEO satellites
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 The Utility Agent departs after delivering an Engine Module
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A major problem for operators of GEO satellites is that they face an increasingly dangerous threat of premature end of satellite operational lifetime resulting not only to space debris but also and mainly significant revenue losses.
· A recent satellite market study reveals that (on average) a number of 6.6 satellites, which is the 30 % of the commercial telecommunication satellites on the GEO die of technical anomalies. The remaining 70 % of them die of fuel depletion. Some 3 to 4 years of life extension would be desirable in most cases. The lost revenue is about 323. M€/y (= 15.5 satellites x 30 transponders x 1 M€ lease per year and 70 % capacity fill ratio).
· Fast in-situ inspection service could facilitate the analysis of an anomalous situation and implementation of a solution. Assuming one rescue operation per year, the associated revenue recovery would be of 136.5 M€ for 5 years of additional lifetime, (=30 operational transponders x 1.3 M€ lease price per year x 70 % capacity fill ratio.
· According to the latest study (summer 2005), which includes all possible OOS the total revenue loss is estimated to be € 2.000 M.
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