Orbital eyes first customer for in-space satellite servicing

By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Orbital ATK Inc on Monday said it hopes to announce within the next six to eight weeks its first contract for a new "in space" service aimed at extending the life and uses of aging commercial satellites in geosynchronous orbit. Tom Wilson, vice president of strategy and business development at Orbital ATK, said the company had invested tens of millions of dollars in the new capability, but gave no specific amount. Wilson said each year about 70 satellites of the 380 communications satellites in orbit could potentially need servicing as they reached the end of the propellant that allows them to maintain their position in space. Read More http://ift.tt/1TG39my