Latest news with #MEV-1
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
2 private satellites undock after pioneering life-extension mission
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Two commercial satellites have completed an undocking maneuver high above Earth, signaling the successful end to a pioneering spacecraft life-extension mission. The Mission Extension Vehicle-1 (MEV-1), developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation's Space Logistics LLC, docked with Intelsat's IS-901 communications satellite in 2020 in a graveyard orbit, a few hundred miles above geosynchronous orbit (GEO), an orbital belt 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth. MEV-1, which launched atop a Russian Proton rocket in October 2019 from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, then brought IS-901 back to GEO and allowed it to restart its operations. But now, after extending the life of IS-901 for five years, the mission has come to an end. IS-901 has been taken back into the GEO graveyard — where decommissioned satellites are positioned to remove them safely from the active GEO belt — by MEV-1. There, the two spacecraft undocked. Just as the 2020 rendezvous was the first docking between commercial spacecraft in GEO, this marks the first such commercial undocking. Related: Watch Northrop Grumman's MEV-1 dock with Intelsat 901! This is not the end for MEV-1, however, as the spacecraft is currently relocating to the next servicing mission, according to Northrop Grumman. This is all part of the company's plans to provide life-extension services for satellites in GEO. "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," Rob Hauge, president of Northrop Grumman Space Logistics, said in an April 9 statement. "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." MEV-1 is not the only player in the satellite life-extension game. Northrop Grumman Space Logistics' follow-on spacecraft, MEV-2, is currently docked to Intelsat 10-02 and will continue providing life-extension services for an additional four years. — Private Astroscale probe will refuel Space Force satellites high above Earth on landmark 2026 mission — Ailing Intelsat satellite begins new life in orbit after historic servicing mission success — NASA cancels multibillion-dollar on-orbit satellite servicing mission The U.S. Space Force also recently tapped Northrop Grumman for the Elixir refueling payload program, which will "enable the Space Force to refine tactics and procedures for rendezvous and proximity operations, docking, refueling, and undocking of on-orbit vehicles," according to a different Northrop Grumman statement. Meanwhile, Astroscale U.S. will attempt to refuel a pair of Space Force spacecraft in 2026, following an announcement at the 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs earlier this month. Elsewhere, China launched its own experimental refueling spacecraft, Shijian 25, in January this year. Countries and companies are pursuing life extension and satellite-servicing capabilities for a range of uses and reasons, including reducing space debris, potential cost savings and enabling flexible and sustainable satellite operations.
Associated Press
09-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Intelsat Completes Satellite Life-Extension Mission, Makes Space History
MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 9, 2025-- Intelsat, operator of one of the world's largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks, became the first and only satellite operator to complete a life-extension mission adding five years of valuable service to the Intelsat 901 (IS-901) satellite and its many customers, providing extended reliable and global connectivity. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Mission Extension Vehicle 1 (MEV-1) safely departs from Intelsat 901 (IS-901) in the Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) after providing five years of life extension service. The earth is visible in the background as well as MEV-1's docking mechanism on the right. (Courtesy: Northrop Grumman's Space Logistics). ' 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.' The world's first Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV), developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE: NOC) Space Logistics LLC, successfully detached from IS-901 after moving the satellite to the graveyard orbit, where the satellite will be decommissioned after nearly 24 years of service. The MEV first docked with IS-901 in February of 2020 nearly 19 years after the satellite was first launched. Geostationary satellites use propellant to remain at a specific orbital location, relocate to a new location or eventually be moved to a graveyard orbit. The MEV has its own propellant and thrusters that operate independently of the satellite. Through in-orbit docking, the MEV allows Intelsat to extend the life of a satellite by several years when the original propellant of that satellite has been depleted. '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,' Froeliger said. 'We had to do a rendezvous and approach of two spacecraft moving at 3km per second,' Froeliger said. Following this success, Intelsat partnered with Northrop Grumman on a second mission in 2021, using MEV-2 to extend the life of Intelsat 10-02, a combination that remains operational today. Intelsat continues to seek out and invest in next-generation satellite life-extension projects and other innovation setting the stage for continued advancements and enabling emerging space companies to shape the future of the industry. About Intelsat Intelsat's global team of professionals is focused on providing seamless and secure, satellite-based communications to government, NGO and commercial customers through the company's next-generation worldwide network and managed services. Bridging the digital divide by operating one of the world's largest and most advanced satellite fleet and connectivity infrastructures, Intelsat enables people and their tools to speak over oceans, see across continents and listen through the skies to communicate, cooperate and coexist. Since its founding six decades ago, the company has been synonymous with satellite-industry 'firsts' in service to its customers and the planet. Leaning on a legacy of innovation and focusing on addressing a new generation of challenges Intelsat team members now have their sights on the 'next firsts' in space as they disrupt the field and lead in the digital transformation of the industry. Twitter/X YouTube Melissa Longo [email protected]; +1 240-308-1881 SOURCE: Intelsat Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 04/09/2025 11:48 AM/DISC: 04/09/2025 11:48 AM
