The Satellite Longevity Trap

Overengineering satellites to last a long time can backfire: once they outlive design life, agencies feel pressure to keep them running, even when cheaper, better replacements exist. Long‑lived craft also risk becoming debris once fuel runs out, forcing others to add costly shielding. A planned cycle of smaller, cheaper satellites with scheduled deorbiting can deliver better science at lower cost. — This reframes public R&D and climate‑monitoring policy away from monument‑building toward rapid iteration and debris‑aware lifecycle design.