  GEO communication satellites generate significant revenue but can only
function reliably for approximately 10 years on orbit. One of the main drivers
that limits the reliability of a GEO satellite is the electric power system,
and in particular, anomalies related to batteries and degradation of the solar
arrays. Given the high cost and relatively short lifespan of GEO satellites,
there has been increased research activity towards developing on-orbit
servicing systems. However, most of the existing servicing systems are
expensive, highly customized, and focus on refueling tasks. On-orbit refueling
can be very useful, however, it does not improve satellite reliability which is
crucial for long-term missions. Therefore, we propose SSPARE (Space Solar Power
Autonomously Reconfigurable Elements), a cost-effective, self-servicing power
system. Aside from improving satellite reliability, SSPARE enables to generate
up to 6 times more power per launch compared to a traditional GEO communication
satellite. This study explores why GEO satellites fail and elaborates on the
SSPARE concept. A comparison of SSPARE against a traditional on-orbit servicing
mission highlights the benefits of the proposed concept. With humanity striving
to become more and more Earth-independent, this work aims to build a foundation
for future systems such as large solar power farms on-orbit.
