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ESA to Give New Life to Old Satellites

Posted by chrisd on from the space-is-still-pretty-cool dept.

JPNews writes "The European Space Agency is designing a program (www.esa.int) to re-configure dying television transmission satellites to be used as a XM Radio-like satellite radio network. 'Once in position, 35,000 km away in space, TV satellites will remain in orbit forever, but their useful life amounts to 15 years or less... further life can be squeezed from a low-propellant TV satellite switched over to mobile digital radio broadcasting where precision position control is less important.'"

2 of 119 comments (clear)

  1. Just when you thought it was safe by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Dammit. Where'd I put my tinfoil hat.

  2. Re:internet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny
    I wouldn't want internet access from an elderly satellite that's going to be wobbling all over the place in its orbit after running out of propellent.

    I can get just as unreliable access down here on the ground, thanks.