Cost modelling study on the feasibility of on-orbit refuelling of Indian Geo-satellite fleet

With the increasing demand for geostationary satellites services, all efforts are being made to minimize the cost of the entire geo-satellite system. On-orbit refuelling of geo-satellites is one of the ways to achieve this. In this regard a geo-refuelling system utilising multiple refueller satellites for on-orbit refuelling using current capabilities of satellites and launchers of ISRO is configured. For this initially an economic feasibility study was carried out based on unit telecommunication cost of refuelled and conventional geo satellites. The study was able to identify the main parameters of a regularly refuelled geo-satellite fleet which dictate its economic feasibility. For a geo-satellite fleet with refuelling, various fleet combinations are possible with the four different categories of satellites viz, Ilk, I2k, I3k, I4k and with multiple refuellers. All such possible combinations of refuellers and refuelled satellites are explored and combinations which provide desirable profitability are narrowed down for further selection. Two notional mission scenarios are identified and suitable satellite categories and combinations for each scenario is identified which provide economic viability.