Satellite Life-Extension Services Extended by NGC
MEV-1 to be Repositioned to Another Intelsat Spacecraft
The on-orbit life-extension services of the Northrop Grumman Space Logistics Mission Extension Vehicles (MEVs) has been extended for four years, providing services to satellite operator, Intelsat.
“As technology pioneers for the in-space servicing industry, our two MEVs have provided a combined seven years of life extension.”
Rob Hauge, Space Logistics
At the end of the current servicing period, MEV-1 will relocate and release the Intelsat 901 (IS-901) satellite into the Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) graveyard and provide service for another Intelsat satellite. MEV-2 will remain docked to Intelsat’s current vehicle, Intelsat 10-02 (IS-10-02), providing life-extension for an additional four years – nearly doubling service from the original contract.
“As technology pioneers for the in-space servicing industry, our two MEVs have provided a combined seven years of life extension to increase our customer’s satellite lifetime and support our joint commitment to making space sustainable,” said Rob Hauge, president of SpaceLogistics.
Northrop Grumman remains committed to its legacy of space sustainability beginning when MEV-1 performed the first-ever in-orbit commercial spacecraft docking with IS-901.
In 2021, the company achieved another milestone when MEV-2 docked with IS-10-02 while the satellite was in operation, with no reported disruption in service during the docking. The initial service period was for five years for both MEVs. With these new contract amendments, the lifespans of several commercial GEO satellites will be extended for an additional four years.
Northrop Grumman is the only provider of life-extension services for satellites in GEO. The MEVs extend the life of legacy satellites, allowing them to operate longer and generate more revenue.