// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Orbit Raising
The process of increasing a satellite's altitude or moving it into a higher orbit, usually by firing its engines.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Orbit Raising is a series of propulsive maneuvers designed to increase a spacecraft's orbital altitude or transfer it to a higher energy orbit, often involving multiple burns (e.g., apogee kick motor) to transition from a transfer orbit to a final operational orbit.
BACKGROUND
China has one of the most active space programs in the world. With launch vehicles of the Long March rocket family and four spaceports, China conducts the most or second most orbital launches each year. China's fleet of over 1,300 Earth orbit satellites serves communication, navigation, reconnaissance and scientific research. China Manned Space Program operates Tiangong, one of two active space stations alongside the International Space Station (ISS). China National Space Administration (CNSA) has achieved robotic rover, lander, and orbiter missions to the Moon and Mars.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Orbital ascent
- altitude increase
- orbit boost
USAGE NOTE
Common for satellites launched into a lower parking orbit before moving to their operational higher orbit, like GEO.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Orbit Raising.
Develops and operates Orbital Service Vehicles (OSVs) that use a water-based plasma propulsion system to transport satellites from a rocket's initial drop-off orbit to their final operational orbit.
Builds orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs) and in-space propulsion systems. Their vehicles, such as Mira and Helios, are designed for rapid in-space transportation, including significant orbit-raising maneuvers from LEO to GEO.
An in-space logistics company that operates the ION Satellite Carrier, an orbital transfer vehicle that provides last-mile delivery services by precisely deploying satellites into different orbital slots.
Operates the Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV), a commercial spacecraft that docks with existing geostationary satellites to provide propulsion and attitude control, enabling orbit raising, relocation, and life extension.
Developing high-power solar electric orbital transfer vehicles designed to move satellites between orbits, such as from Low Earth Orbit to Geostationary Orbit, serving the 'last-mile' delivery market.
Develops solutions for in-space mobility, including high-thrust electric propulsion systems and the 'spacevan', a complete orbital transfer vehicle designed to deliver satellite payloads to their final orbits.
While primarily focused on debris removal, Astroscale develops spacecraft for on-orbit servicing, including the planned LEXI (Life Extension In-Orbit) vehicle, which will perform orbit modification and raising for client satellites.
Developed the Orbiter, an orbital transfer vehicle and satellite platform designed to transport and deploy small satellites to custom orbits after being delivered to an initial orbit by a larger launch vehicle.
A leading developer of advanced electric propulsion systems, including Hall-effect thrusters and electrospray thrusters, which are a primary technology used by satellites for efficient, low-thrust orbit raising over extended periods.