New Way of Extending Satellite Life Saves Millions 173
coondoggie writes "A new technique to save aging satellites promises to save millions of dollars by extending the life of communications spacecraft. A process developed by researchers from Purdue University and Lockheed Martin has already saved $60 million for unnamed broadcasters by extending the service life of two communications satellites. In a nutshell the technique works by applying an advanced simulation and a method that equalizes the amount of propellant in satellite fuel tanks so that the satellite consumes all of the fuel before being retired from service. Some aging communications satellites are each equipped with four fuel tanks. If one of the tanks empties before the others, the satellite loses control and should be decommissioned, wasting the remaining fuel in the other tanks."
Wow! What an innovative idea! (Score:5, Funny)
"A process for shifting resources from areas with a surplus to those that have run out
Hey -- maybe if I act quickly I can get a patent on "sending a refueling pod"!
(I don't know if this should count as funny, flamebait, or insighful.)
Re:Wow! What an innovative idea! (Score:5, Funny)
Well, of course they didn't. That would have infringed on UbuntuDupe's patent.
Now if they can just apply this to (Score:5, Funny)
Oh wait... who am I kidding...
Re:Wow! What an innovative idea! (Score:5, Funny)
It would work... (Score:5, Funny)
Oh wait... who am I kidding...
Re:NSS?! (Score:4, Funny)
Oh, great... so now Martin Marietta is gonna file a DMCA complaint and demand the arrest of...
Good Show in either case!
Re:It would work... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:It's amazing that this was not done initially (Score:5, Funny)
But this time it really is!
Obvious Ask Slashdot Post (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Wow! What an innovative idea! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Wow! What an innovative idea! (Score:2, Funny)
I thought everybody knew that.
Re:why not a brlliant idea..... (Score:1, Funny)
Great, now try to balance the thing.
Oh, wait...
Re:Wow! What an innovative idea! (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Wow! What an innovative idea! (Score:2, Funny)
yuck (Score:2, Funny)
So how does it work (Score:3, Funny)
Must be a pretty big nutshell to fit a commsat.
Millions saved, by extending satellite life??? (Score:4, Funny)