© Provided by CNBC A close up look at Intelsat's IS-10-02 satellite as MEV-2 approached for docking in orbit.
Northrop Grumman and Intelsat accomplished a Space Industry First, on Monday, with a Small Spacecraft, Docking and Repairing, an Active Satellite in Orbit.
The Northrop Grumman-built Spacecraft, called MEV-2, Docked successfully with the nearly 18-year-old Intelsat, IS-10-02 Satellite, in a move that is expected to add another Five years of Life to the Satellite.
The MEV-2 Mission builds upon the Success of Northrop Grumman's MEV-1 Mission last year, which Docked with an Inactive Intelsat Satellite.
MERV-1, last year, Docked with an Inactive Intelsat Satellite. That Satellite was in a "Graveyard Orbit," meaning it was No Longer providing Services, but MEV-1 Restored It and moved the Satellite back into Position.
"Today's successful docking of our second Mission Extension Vehicle further demonstrates the reliability, safety and utility of in-space logistics," Tom Wilson, Vice President of Northrop Grumman's Strategic Space systems said in a statement. "The success of this mission paves the way for our second generation of servicing satellites and robotics, offering flexibility and resiliency for both commercial and government satellite operators, which can enable entirely new classes of missions."
Extending the Life of an Active Spacecraft in Orbit has only been done with Human help before, such as the Hubble Telescope Servicing Missions conducted by NASA Astronauts.
Launched in, August 2020, on an Arianespace Ariane 5 Rocket, the Robotic MEV-2 spent the last several months Traveling out to the Satellite. MEV-2 then Matched its Orbit before successfully Docking, while also providing Unique Imagery of the Satellite as the Spacecraft approached.
IS-10-02 was Launched in, June 2004, and was only intended to be in Service for 13 years, providing Broadband Communications Services to Europe, South America, Africa, and the Middle East.
The Satellite is in a Fixed Position above the Earth in what is known as Geosynchronous Orbit, Tens of Thousands of Miles up to provide as Wide a Coverage area as effectively possible.
The MEV-2 Spacecraft, while similar to MEV-1, took that Mission, a step further, by Docking and Extending the Life of a Satellite currently in Service. This means there was more Risk involved, given that IS-10-02 is Serving Customers, including providing Television Services to more than 18 Million Households in Europe.
Northern Sky Research, a Satellite Consulting Firm, estimates that the Market for Satellite Servicing and Life Extensions is a $3.2 Billion opportunity over the next Decade.
After Five years, MEV-2 will Undock from IS-10-02 and set off to Rendezvous with another Client Satellite. It’s unclear how long IS-10-02 will survive in orbit after MEV leaves to Service other Satellites.
Northrop is also Building an Upgraded Satellite Servicing System called a Mission Robotic Vehicle (or MRV). That Spacecraft will meet up with Aging Satellites to Install Orbital First-Aid Kits called Mission Extension Pods, Designed to provide Propulsion and Power.
Each MRV can carry Six Pods. MRV’s debut Launch is slated for early 2024, Anderson said.
The Firm Forecasts that there is Demand for Servicing upward of 75 Satellites by 2030, with Companies and Governments looking to Extend the Lifespan of typically Expensive Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit Satellites, rather than Launching Replacements.
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