MEV-2

Intelsat plans to dock MEV-2 with its host satellite while the host remains in geostationary orbit rather than conduct the rendezvous in a higher orbit.

The 2021 docking of MEV-2 with IS-10-02 was the first-ever in-orbit servicing of a live commercial satellite in geosynchronous orbit from the satellite’s active orbital slot.

Northrop Grumman’s MEV-2 has been fueling the 10-02 satellite since becoming the first servicer to dock with an in-service geosynchronous commercial satellite in 2021.

Northrop Grumman and Intelsat plan to dock MEV-2 with Intelsat 10-02 directly in geostationary orbit in 2021, a maneuver that may require Intelsat 10-02 to pause service for 20 to 30 minutes.

MEV-2 docked with Intelsat 10-02 directly in the satellite’s operational geostationary (GEO) orbital location.

Northrop Grumman’s Mission Extension Vehicle-2 (MEV-2) is performing a proximity operations mission to Intelsat 10-02.

Space Logistics, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, was contracted by Intelsat (the operator at 1° West) to deploy MEV-2 to prolong the operational life of THOR 10-02 because the satellite’s on-board propellant was due to run out toward the end of 2021.

Northrop Grumman released an image of Intelsat 10-02 taken by MEV-2’s infrared wide field of view camera from 15 m away.

MEV-1, the predecessor to MEV-2, attached to Intelsat’s IS-901 and lifted that satellite out of geostationary graveyard orbit to return it to service on 2020-04-02.

SpaceLogistics’ first-generation Mission Extension Vehicles, MEV-1 and MEV-2, have provided propulsion and pointing control to commercial satellites in geostationary orbit since 2020.

SpaceLogistics’ Mission Extension Vehicle MEV-2 began providing life-extension services for Intelsat 10-02 in 2021.

MEV-1 and MEV-2 are operated by Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics in-orbit-servicing subsidiary and are extending the missions of two Intelsat satellites they are attached to in geostationary orbit.

MEV-2 launched on 2020-08-15 on an Ariane 5 and has a mass of 2,875 kg.

Telenor Satellite receives service continuity benefits from the life extension of THOR 10-02 (IS-10-02) enabled by MEV-2.

MEV-2 docked with Intelsat 10-02 (IS-10-02) in 2021 in IS-10-02’s original orbital slot, providing the first-ever in-orbit servicing of a live commercial GEO satellite without interrupting customer services.

Intelsat signed a deal to use the MEV-2 servicer currently docked with its 10-02 satellite to extend the spacecraft’s life by four years to 2030.

SpaceLogistics’ first-generation Mission Extension Vehicles, MEV-1 and MEV-2, have provided propulsion and pointing control to commercial satellites in geostationary orbit since 2020.

SpaceLogistics’ first-generation Mission Extension Vehicles, MEV-1 and MEV-2, have provided propulsion and pointing control to commercial satellites in GEO since 2020.