Orbital Recovery has selected Arianespace as the primary launcher for its geosynchronous spacecraft life extension system (SLES), or “space tug,” agreeing to orbit at least four space tugs beginning in 2005.

SLES will be carried as a secondary payload on Ariane launches, with a liftoff mass of between 500 kilograms and 800 kilograms, depending on the space tug’s specific mission. The SLES is designed to extend the useful lifetime of multi-million dollar telecommunications satellites by 10 years or more, and also is capable of rescuing satellites stranded in incorrect orbits, the company said.