// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Station Keeping
The process of making small adjustments to a satellite's orbit to maintain its desired position and trajectory against natural perturbations.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
Station keeping refers to the orbital maneuvers performed by spacecraft, typically using thrusters, to counteract natural perturbations (e.g., atmospheric drag, solar radiation pressure, gravitational anomalies) and maintain a satellite within its designated orbital slot or ground track, ensuring mission continuity and preventing collisions.
BACKGROUND
Skyroot Aerospace Private Limited is an Indian private aerospace manufacturer and commercial launch service provider headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana. The company was founded by two former ISRO scientists, Pawan Kumar Chandana, and Naga Bharath Daka.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Orbital maintenance
- position keeping
- orbit control
USAGE NOTE
Geostationary satellites require continuous station keeping to remain over their assigned longitude.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Station Keeping.
Develops and operates Mission Extension Vehicles (MEVs) and other in-orbit servicing spacecraft that dock with existing satellites to provide propulsion and attitude control, effectively taking over station-keeping duties to extend their operational lives.
A major satellite manufacturer that integrates advanced station-keeping systems into its spacecraft platforms. They are a leader in using all-electric propulsion systems on their Spacebus Neo platforms, which are highly efficient for maintaining geostationary orbits.
Specializes in the design and production of advanced electric propulsion systems, including Hall effect thrusters and electrospray thrusters. These high-efficiency systems are a key technology for long-term station keeping on modern satellites.
A leading manufacturer of large geostationary (GEO) communication and Earth observation satellites. Their satellite buses, such as the 1300-series, incorporate sophisticated chemical and electric propulsion systems specifically for precise, long-duration station keeping.
Provides critical components and software for satellite operations, including guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems, command and control software, and propulsion components that are essential for calculating and executing station-keeping maneuvers.
Focuses on satellite servicing and debris removal. Their technology for rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) relies on extremely precise maneuvering and position control, an advanced application of station-keeping principles.
Develops and manufactures high-performance solar electric propulsion systems, such as their Halo Hall-effect thrusters, specifically for small satellites. These systems enable CubeSats and smallsats to perform orbit raising, constellation management, and station keeping.
Manufactures the Photon satellite bus, a configurable spacecraft platform that includes a complete propulsion and attitude control system. Photon is designed to handle all in-space operations for a payload, including precise orbit insertion and long-term station keeping.