Inside the Historic Mission To Service an Orbiting Satellite

Northrop Grumman subsidiary SpaceLogistics allowed FLYING rare access to the lab where engineers quietly made space history performing the first operational commercial satellite servicing mission.

Thom Patterson

Friday, May 20, 2022 at 09:22 AM ET

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An artist’s rendition of MEV-1 (left), SpaceLogistics’ history-making service spacecraft as it approaches a satellite in 2020. [Courtesy: Northrop Grumman]

Key Takeaways:

Northrop Grumman's SpaceLogistics has pioneered autonomous on-orbit satellite servicing with its Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV).
The MEV successfully docks with commercial satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) to provide propulsion and pointing control, extending their operational life and saving millions of dollars by preventing premature retirement.
A key technological breakthrough is the MEV's precise autonomous docking system and a unique, low-friction probe that universally connects to the target satellite's engine.
SpaceLogistics plans to further expand satellite servicing capabilities with future vehicles like the Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) for inspection, repair, and debris removal, and the Mission Assembly and Repair Vehicle (MARV) for in-orbit manufacturing.

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In a nondescript building outside Washington, D.C., a team of engineers, scientists, and technicians are making history with technological breakthroughs that have taken space satellite operations to the next level.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) subsidiary SpaceLogistics allowed FLYING rare access inside the highly restricted lab where team members developed an autonomous spacecraft that can safely dock with commercial satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) to provide propulsion and pointing control.