Station-Keeping

Station-keeping is the process of performing small corrective thruster burns to keep a satellite in its assigned position against perturbative forces (gravitational, solar radiation pressure, atmospheric drag, luni-solar perturbations). GEO satellites must hold their longitude and inclination within ±0.1° — requiring roughly 50 m/s of delta-v per year. LEO constellation satellites perform station-keeping to maintain altitude (countering drag) and proper phasing relative to other satellites in the constellation. Station-keeping fuel is typically the limiting factor for satellite operational lifetime.