A Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Space Logistics LLC has successfully undocked with Intelsat’s IS-901 satellite, completing its life extension service. This marks the first undocking between two commercial spacecraft in the geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) graveyard.
- MEV-1 has provided five years of life-extension services to IS-901, allowing Intelsat to operate this space-based asset beyond its design life.
- In 2020, MEV-1 successfully proved docking with IS-901 was possible in the GEO graveyard orbit and brought IS-901 back into operation in GEO.
- Now that life-extension services are complete, MEV-1 released the IS-901 satellite back into the GEO graveyard and is relocating to the next servicing mission.
- Northrop Grumman’s Space Logistics has provided reliable service to the satellite operator for MEV-1’s entire mission. MEV-2 will remain docked to Intelsat 10-02, providing life-extension for an additional four years – nearly doubling service from the original extension contract.
Expert: Rob Hauge, president, Space Logistics: “The first-of-its kind technology that extended a satellite’s life is paving the way for an entire infrastructure of future on-orbit satellite servicing missions for a variety of customers. We are continuing to invest in next-generation capabilities to deliver the most technologically advanced servicing capabilities to support and maintain new and existing space-based assets.”
Details: Northrop Grumman is currently the only proven provider of life-extension services for satellites in GEO – redefining the boundaries of resiliency, flexibility and capabilities across government, commercial and national security customers.
