Patent ID: 7922124

Claim:
A satellite, comprising: an electric propulsion system for performing North-South stationkeeping cycles to maintain a geosynchronous orbit of the satellite using electrical power; a solar power system for generating the electrical power from solar energy; and a stationkeeping controller programmed to perform periods of the North-South stationkeeping cycles with the electric propulsion system at a frequency which reduces as the generated electrical power varies with available solar energy and as the solar power system degrades with age such that the generated electrical power is insufficient to power the electric propulsion system during previously performed periods of the North-South stationkeeping cycles and prior to end of life of the satellite; wherein the solar power system is sized such that the generated electrical power is insufficient to power the electric propulsion system during the previously performed periods of the North-South stationkeeping cycles after the solar power system degrades with age and prior to end of life of the satellite.