SES Taps France’s Infinite Orbits for 2027 GEO Life-Extension Mission
Endurance will validate autonomous docking on a retired SES spacecraft in graveyard orbit before attempting to boost the lifespan of an active satellite.
Overview
- SES confirmed a contract with Infinite Orbits for the Endurance servicer, targeting a late-2027 launch for a geostationary life-extension campaign.
- The 750-kilogram vehicle uses a vision-based autonomous navigation system and is designed to provide station keeping, pointing, relocation and end-of-life disposal.
- Mission plans call for an initial docking demonstration with a retired SES satellite about 360 kilometers above the GEO arc, then a move to an in-service spacecraft to add roughly five years of operation.
- The deal expands what SES says is the busiest commercial GEO servicing pipeline, with five missions scheduled between 2026 and 2029, including Starfish Space’s Otter in Q2 2026 and Northrop Grumman’s MRV/MEP program advancing hardware milestones.
- The program is supported by European Innovation Council funding and France 2030 cofunding, and the companies say it would mark Europe’s first commercial GEO life-extension mission; Infinite Orbits has previously raised €12 million for development.