ELSA-M Life Extension Service
Astroscale US
Commercial satellite life extension vehicle that serviced multiple client satellites sequentially in a single LEO mission, using Astroscale's docking plate standard for capture and repositioning.
Technical specifications
- Mission type
- Multi-client satellite life extension / repositioning / deorbit
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbit
- Capture method
- Astroscale standardized Docking Plate (pre-installed on client satellites)
- Multi-client capability
- Designed to service multiple satellites sequentially per mission
- Customer
- Eutelsat OneWeb (LEO constellation)
- Status
- In development
About
ELSA-M (End-of-Life Services by Astroscale-M, where M denotes Multi-client) is Astroscale’s commercial life extension vehicle designed to service multiple client satellites sequentially during a single mission in LEO. Unlike single-client servicing concepts, ELSA-M is designed for the economics of commercial constellation operators: one servicing vehicle can boost, reposition, or deorbit several satellites on a single mission, reducing per-satellite service cost.
ELSA-M relies on Astroscale’s standardized Docking Plate — an interface installed on new satellites at manufacture — for safe mechanical capture without requiring complex robotic manipulation. Once docked, the servicer can relocate, boost to a higher orbit, or deorbit the client satellite as required by the operator. The ELSA-M program is contracted by Eutelsat OneWeb for potential life extension services on its LEO satellite constellation.
Documentation
No public datasheet yet — request the datasheet / ICD from the supplier.
