Company - Northrop Grumman (SpaceLogistics)
Product/Service - Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV)
- Classification
- In-Space Transportation
- Category
- On-Orbit Servicing
- Fields
- In-Space Satellite Servicing
- Status
- Active
- First launch
- 2019
On-Orbit Servicing
- The company is still deciding which of the more than 50 satellites in its fleet will be equipped with a Mission Extension Pod (MEP) from SpaceLogistics, which plans to install it in 2026 using a Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) servicer with a robotic arm.
- After the MRV and pods all make separate climbs to GEO orbit using onboard solar-electric thrusters, the MRV will capture the three pods and transport them to satellites needing fuel.
- One of the three pods is intended for Australian satellite operator Optus, announced last year as SpaceLogistics’ first customer for the Mission Extension Pod service. If all goes to plan, the Mission Robotic Vehicle will install a pod on Optus D3 satellite in 2025.
- Early last year, SpaceLogistics said six companies had signed term sheets to buy MEPs for a service it says is suitable for GEO satellites with a mass of around 2,000 kilograms.