Tag: Space Insurance
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How Much Does a Satellite Constellation Really Cost? Calculating Its Full Lifecycle Cost
Constellation announcements often promise billions in investment, but rarely explain where the money goes. To understand the economics of space computing, we need to break down five costs across a computing satellite’s life, from development to disposal. The exercise reveals why companies in this industry need to understand both aerospace engineering and cost accounting. 1.…
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When a Satellite Fails, Will Insurers Pay the Claim or Fund a Repair Mission?
In 1984, two communications satellites, Westar 6 and Palapa B2, were placed into incorrect orbits due to an upper-stage malfunction. Their insurers were already facing a massive loss, but instead of simply paying out the claims, they signed an agreement with NASA to have the Space Shuttle retrieve the two satellites from space and return…