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Mission Extension Pods

Component
Admin Edit
Class: In Orbit ServiceSubclass: In Orbit Servicing ServiceOrganization: SpaceLogistics
Specifications
Verified technical details with source attribution
SpecificationValueSources
SlaSpaceLogistics
Intelsat orders another servicing mission from Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics
Satcoms Innovation Group announces the winners of SIG Awards
SpaceLogistics to service Intelsat satellite after Optus life-extending mission
Northrop Grumman says customers are ‘lined up’ for on-orbit satellite servicing
Northrop Grumman says customers are ‘lined up’ for on-orbit satellite servicing
Capacity400 kg per pod
SpaceLogistics to service Intelsat satellite after Optus life-extending missionNorthrop Grumman says customers are ‘lined up’ for on-orbit satellite servicing
Service AreaGeostationary transfer orbit
SpaceLogistics to service Intelsat satellite after Optus life-extending mission
Additional Information
Extra fields from the product other_info JSON column.

Other Info

Customer

Value

Intelsat (ordered two MEPs in 2023)

Sources

6aa207a2 D236 4e3c B4a3 6f2c5207818c

Conflicts

None

Corroboration Count

1

Description

Value

Mini-versions of the MEV (Mission Extension Vehicle) that install small jetpacks on satellites to extend their operational life

Sources

6aa207a2 D236 4e3c B4a3 6f2c5207818c

Conflicts

None

Corroboration Count

1

Launch Provider

Value

SpaceX (Falcon 9)

Sources

2ebf0476 Ea85 4716 A060 26572b626bbc938eeceb E2d1 4bb2 Af49 A8dede8b27f49f691050 Cf50 44dd 9466 Ca57ef25f91aF69d457c 9bd9 4b53 9dde 22305617b74c

Conflicts

None

Corroboration Count

Propulsion Type

Value

Electric propulsion system

Sources

C45115a4 1086 4669 893e 757fd75faa55

Conflicts

None

Corroboration Count

1

Development Status

Value

Completed critical design reviews, proceeding toward launch

Sources

2ebf0476 Ea85 4716 A060 26572b626bbcC45115a4 1086 4669 893e 757fd75faa55

Conflicts

None

Corroboration Count

2

Planned Launch Date

Value

2024-2025

Sources

2ebf0476 Ea85 4716 A060 26572b626bbc938eeceb E2d1 4bb2 Af49 A8dede8b27f49f691050 Cf50 44dd 9466 Ca57ef25f91aF69d457c 9bd9 4b53 9dde 22305617b74c

Conflicts

None

Corroboration Count

Launch Configuration

Value

Three MEPs launched alongside Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) at 3,000 kg

Sources

9f691050 Cf50 44dd 9466 Ca57ef25f91aF69d457c 9bd9 4b53 9dde 22305617b74c

Conflicts

None

Corroboration Count

2
Synthesis Evidence
All fact sentences used in this product synthesis.

“Intelsat expanded its partnership with SpaceLogistics in 2023 by ordering two Mission Extension Pods (MEP), mini-versions of the MEV that install small jetpacks on satellites.”

Satcoms Innovation Group announces the winners of SIG AwardsMar 20, 20246aa207a2-d236-4e3c-b4a3-6f2c5207818c

“SpaceLogistics and its Mission Extension Pods completed critical design reviews and are proceeding toward a planned 2025 launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.”

Intelsat orders another servicing mission from Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogisticsJun 20, 20232ebf0476-ea85-4716-a060-26572b626bbc

“SpaceLogistics plans to launch the 3,000-kilogram MRV to geostationary transfer orbit along with three 400-kilogram Mission Extension Pods on a SpaceX launch vehicle in late 2024.”

SpaceLogistics to service Intelsat satellite after Optus life-extending missionApr 14, 20239f691050-cf50-44dd-9466-ca57ef25f91a

“SpaceLogistics successfully fired the electric propulsion system it is developing for the Mission Extension Pods in March 2022.”

Northrop Grumman says customers are ‘lined up’ for on-orbit satellite servicingMar 24, 2022c45115a4-1086-4669-893e-757fd75faa55

“SpaceLogistics plans to launch a 3,000-kilogram Mission Robotic Vehicle and three Mission Extension Pods each about 400 kg on a SpaceX rocket in 2024.”

Northrop Grumman says customers are ‘lined up’ for on-orbit satellite servicingMar 24, 2022f69d457c-9bd9-4b53-9dde-22305617b74c
Mention Sources
All source documents that mention this product.
Northrop Grumman says customers are ‘lined up’ for on-orbit satellite servicing3 mentions

Mar 24, 2022

SpaceLogistics to service Intelsat satellite after Optus life-extending mission2 mentions

Apr 14, 2023

Australia’s Optus X payload or TD7 satellite on secret mission is launched by SpaceX from Florida1 mention

Nov 17, 2024

Northrop Grumman-built Optus X for Australia’s Optus ready for SpaceX launch on Sunday1 mention

Nov 16, 2024

Intelsat extends satellite life extension contracts1 mention

May 23, 2024

Satcoms Innovation Group announces the winners of SIG Awards1 mention

Mar 20, 2024

Orbital Composites wins $1.7 million Space Force contract1 mention

Jul 13, 2023

Intelsat orders another servicing mission from Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics1 mention

Jun 20, 2023

SpaceLogistics Announces Launch Agreement With SpaceX + First Mission Extension Pod Contract With Optus1 mention

Feb 22, 2022

Northrop Grumman to launch new satellite-servicing robot aimed at commercial and government market1 mention

Sep 23, 2021

Space Tugs as a Service: In-orbit service providers are bracing for consolidation1 mention

Jul 6, 2021

Orbital ATK’s giant leap into satellite servicing begins with baby steps1 mention

Jun 11, 2018

4
4
Entity Mentions
All verified mentions of this entity in source documents

SpaceLogistics plans to launch a 3,000-kilogram Mission Robotic Vehicle and three Mission Extension Pods each about 400 kg on a SpaceX rocket in 2024.

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceMar 24, 2022

SpaceX will provide launch services for a planned spring 2024 launch of the Mission Robotic Vehicle and several Mission Extension Pods.

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceFeb 22, 2022

Intelsat expanded its partnership with SpaceLogistics in 2023 by ordering two Mission Extension Pods (MEP), mini-versions of the MEV that install small jetpacks on satellites.

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceMar 20, 2024

SpaceLogistics plans to launch its first Mission Robotic Vehicle in 2025 to install Mission Extension Pods on Optus and Intelsat communications satellites.

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceJul 13, 2023

Northrop Grumman and SpaceX have a launch agreement under which SpaceX will provide launch services for a planned 2024 launch of the MRV and several Mission Extension Pods (MEPs).

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceNov 16, 2024

Under a 2023 launch agreement, SpaceX will provide launch services for a planned 2024 launch of Northrop Grumman’s Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) and several Mission Extension Pods (MEPs).

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceNov 17, 2024

Northrop Grumman plans to launch additional in-orbit servicing products in 2024 including a Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) and Mission Extension Pods (MEPs).

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceJul 6, 2021

The Mission Extension Pods were designed to extend the service life of satellites in geostationary orbit by up to six years.

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceMar 24, 2022

Three Mission Extension Pods are due to ride with the MRV on the SpaceX Falcon 9 in 2025 for missions planned to begin in 2026.

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceMay 23, 2024

Space Logistics is planning to launch the second set of mission extension pods in early 2025.

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceSep 23, 2021

Six companies signed term sheets early last year to buy Mission Extension Pods for service on geostationary satellites with a mass of around 2,000 kg.

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceApr 14, 2023

SpaceLogistics announced a second-generation life extension platform called the Mission Robotic Vehicle, a mothership with a ring of ten to 12 Mission Extension Pods.

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceJun 11, 2018

SpaceLogistics and its Mission Extension Pods completed critical design reviews and are proceeding toward a planned 2025 launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceJun 20, 2023

SpaceLogistics plans to launch the 3,000-kilogram MRV to geostationary transfer orbit along with three 400-kilogram Mission Extension Pods on a SpaceX launch vehicle in late 2024.

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceApr 14, 2023

SpaceLogistics successfully fired the electric propulsion system it is developing for the Mission Extension Pods in March 2022.

Mentioned as: Mission Extension PodsSourceMar 24, 2022