A Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) was developed by Space Logistics LLC, a Northrop Grumman company. And this has now successfully undocked with Intelsat’s IS-901 satellite, after completing the “life extension” service.
According to Intelsat, the MEV added five years of service and global connectivity to the Intelsat 901 satellite and its customers.
“The MEV mission proved that in-orbit servicing enhances satellite sustainability and efficiency in space,” said Jean-Luc Froeliger, SVP of Space Systems, Intelsat. “We were able to provide five additional years of reliable service to our Network, Media and Mobility customers and paved the way for future advancements in satellite servicing.”
Undocking
The MEV is now successfully separate from IS-901 after moving the satellite to the graveyard orbit, where the satellite will be officially decommissioned after 24 years of service.
The MEV first docked with IS-901 in February 2020, almost 19 years after the satellite was first launched.
“Using the MEV to extend the life of IS-901 was a great commercial success for our customers, as well as a historic technical achievement,” added Froeliger. “We had to do a rendezvous and approach of two spacecraft moving at 3km per second.”
Graveyard orbit
Geostationary satellites use propellant to remain at a specific orbital location, but the original propellant of that satellite has been depleted.
The manoeuvring is possible because the MEV has its own propellant and thrusters that operate independently of the satellite, following in-orbit docking.
As mentioned, the original docking took place in 2020 in the GEO graveyard orbit.
Now, with the life-extension services complete, MEV-1 released IS-901 satellite back into the GEO graveyard.
Satellite life-extension
Space Logistics hailed the significance of the process.
“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,” said Rob Hauge, president of Space Logistics.
“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.”
Starting next year, Space Logistics expects to provide expanded satellite services. These include on-orbit repairs, upgrades, refueling, debris removal, assembly and manufacturing.
MEV-2
This is is not the only instance of the companies working together. Intelsat also partnered with Northrop Grumman on a second mission in 2021
Another MEV – MEV-2 – will remain docked to another Intelsat craft, Intelsat 10-02. This is providing life-extension for an additional four years, says Northrop, doubling service from the original extension contract.
Image: Northrop Grumman
See also: UKSA funds Westcott’s In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing facility
