Intelsat Completes Satellite Life-Extension Mission, Makes Space History
Intelsat has made space history by completing the first-ever satellite life-extension mission, successfully adding five years of service to the Intelsat 901 (IS-901) satellite. The mission utilized Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV), which safely detached from IS-901 after moving it to its graveyard orbit following nearly 24 years of service.
The groundbreaking mission began in February 2020 when the MEV docked with IS-901, approximately 19 years after the satellite's initial launch. The MEV's independent propulsion system enabled IS-901 to maintain its orbital position after its original propellant was depleted. Following this success, Intelsat launched a second mission in 2021 using MEV-2 to extend the life of Intelsat 10-02, which remains operational.
Intelsat ha scritto la storia dello spazio completando la prima missione di estensione della vita di un satellite, aggiungendo con successo cinque anni di servizio al satellite Intelsat 901 (IS-901). La missione ha utilizzato il Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) di Northrop Grumman, che si è staccato in sicurezza da IS-901 dopo averlo spostato nella sua orbita di riserva, dopo quasi 24 anni di servizio.
La missione innovativa è iniziata nel febbraio 2020, quando il MEV si è agganciato a IS-901, circa 19 anni dopo il lancio iniziale del satellite. Il sistema di propulsione indipendente del MEV ha permesso a IS-901 di mantenere la sua posizione orbitale dopo che il propellente originale era esaurito. Dopo questo successo, Intelsat ha lanciato una seconda missione nel 2021 utilizzando il MEV-2 per estendere la vita di Intelsat 10-02, che rimane operativo.
Intelsat ha hecho historia en el espacio al completar la primera misión de extensión de vida de un satélite, añadiendo con éxito cinco años de servicio al satélite Intelsat 901 (IS-901). La misión utilizó el Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) de Northrop Grumman, que se desacopló de IS-901 después de moverlo a su órbita de cementerio tras casi 24 años de servicio.
La misión innovadora comenzó en febrero de 2020, cuando el MEV se acopló a IS-901, aproximadamente 19 años después del lanzamiento inicial del satélite. El sistema de propulsión independiente del MEV permitió que IS-901 mantuviera su posición orbital después de que se agotara su propulsor original. Tras este éxito, Intelsat lanzó una segunda misión en 2021 utilizando el MEV-2 para extender la vida de Intelsat 10-02, que sigue operativo.
인텔샛은 최초의 위성 수명 연장 임무를 완료하여 역사적인 순간을 기록했으며, 인텔샛 901 (IS-901) 위성에 5년의 서비스 기간을 성공적으로 추가했습니다. 이 임무는 노스롭 그루먼의 미션 익스텐션 차량 (MEV)을 활용하였으며, MEV는 IS-901을 24년 가까이 서비스한 후 안전하게 분리하여 매립 궤도로 이동시켰습니다.
이 혁신적인 임무는 2020년 2월에 시작되었으며, MEV가 IS-901에 도킹한 것은 위성이 처음 발사된 지 약 19년 후의 일이었습니다. MEV의 독립 추진 시스템은 IS-901이 원래의 연료가 고갈된 후에도 궤도 위치를 유지할 수 있게 하였습니다. 이 성공에 이어, 인텔샛은 2021년에 MEV-2를 사용하여 인텔샛 10-02의 수명을 연장하는 두 번째 임무를 시작하였으며, 이 위성은 여전히 운영 중입니다.
Intelsat a marqué l'histoire de l'espace en réalisant la première mission d'extension de vie d'un satellite, ajoutant avec succès cinq années de service au satellite Intelsat 901 (IS-901). La mission a utilisé le Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) de Northrop Grumman, qui s'est détaché en toute sécurité d'IS-901 après l'avoir déplacé vers son orbite de fin de vie après près de 24 ans de service.
Cette mission révolutionnaire a débuté en février 2020 lorsque le MEV s'est amarré à IS-901, environ 19 ans après le lancement initial du satellite. Le système de propulsion indépendant du MEV a permis à IS-901 de maintenir sa position orbitale après que son propulseur d'origine a été épuisé. Suite à ce succès, Intelsat a lancé une deuxième mission en 2021 utilisant le MEV-2 pour prolonger la vie d'Intelsat 10-02, qui reste opérationnel.
Intelsat hat Raumfahrtgeschichte geschrieben, indem es die erste Satellitenlebensverlängerungsmission erfolgreich abgeschlossen hat, wodurch dem Intelsat 901 (IS-901) Satelliten fünf Jahre Service hinzugefügt wurden. Die Mission nutzte das Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) von Northrop Grumman, das sich sicher von IS-901 trennte, nachdem es ihn nach fast 24 Jahren Dienst in seine Friedhofsbahn gebracht hatte.
Die bahnbrechende Mission begann im Februar 2020, als das MEV mit IS-901 andockte, etwa 19 Jahre nach dem ursprünglichen Start des Satelliten. Das unabhängige Antriebssystem des MEV ermöglichte es IS-901, seine orbitale Position zu halten, nachdem der ursprüngliche Treibstoff aufgebraucht war. Nach diesem Erfolg startete Intelsat 2021 eine zweite Mission mit MEV-2, um die Lebensdauer von Intelsat 10-02 zu verlängern, das weiterhin in Betrieb ist.
- Successfully extended satellite lifespan by 5 years, reducing replacement costs
- Demonstrated commercial viability of satellite life-extension technology
- Established industry leadership in satellite servicing innovation
- Second successful mission (MEV-2) currently operational with Intelsat 10-02
- IS-901 satellite reaching end of life after 24 years, requiring decommissioning
Insights
Northrop Grumman has achieved a significant milestone in the emerging satellite servicing market with the successful completion of their first five-year Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV-1) contract with Intelsat. This pioneering achievement demonstrates the commercial viability of on-orbit satellite servicing - a capability that addresses the critical need for extending valuable satellite assets without costly replacements.
The success of this initial mission has already generated additional business, as evidenced by Intelsat's follow-on contract for MEV-2 servicing the Intelsat 10-02 satellite. This validates Northrop's first-mover advantage in a market with substantial growth potential given that dozens of high-value satellites reach fuel depletion annually.
The technology's demonstrated reliability over the full five-year service period strengthens Northrop's position in the space sustainability segment, potentially opening new revenue streams beyond traditional defense contracts. By enabling satellite life extension at a fraction of replacement costs, Northrop is positioning itself as a key player in space infrastructure maintenance - effectively creating a new market category where they currently face competition.
While financial details aren't disclosed, these services typically generate high-margin recurring revenue - an attractive business model complementing Northrop's traditional manufacturing operations. The operational validation of MEV technology also establishes credibility for Northrop's broader satellite servicing portfolio as the company develops more advanced capabilities for the commercial and government sectors.
Mission Extension Vehicle 1 (MEV-1) safely departs from Intelsat 901 (IS-901) in the Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) after providing five years of life extension service. The earth is visible in the background as well as MEV-1’s docking mechanism on the right. (Courtesy: Northrop Grumman’s Space Logistics).
"The MEV mission proved that in-orbit servicing enhances satellite sustainability and efficiency in space," said Jean-Luc Froeliger, SVP of Space Systems, Intelsat. “We were able to provide five additional years of reliable service to our Network, Media and Mobility customers and paved the way for future advancements in satellite servicing."
The world’s first Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV), developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Space Logistics LLC, successfully detached from IS-901 after moving the satellite to the graveyard orbit, where the satellite will be decommissioned after nearly 24 years of service. The MEV first docked with IS-901 in February of 2020 nearly 19 years after the satellite was first launched.
Geostationary satellites use propellant to remain at a specific orbital location, relocate to a new location or eventually be moved to a graveyard orbit. The MEV has its own propellant and thrusters that operate independently of the satellite. Through in-orbit docking, the MEV allows Intelsat to extend the life of a satellite by several years when the original propellant of that satellite has been depleted.
“Using the MEV to extend the life of IS-901 was a great commercial success for our customers, as well as a historic technical achievement,” Froeliger said. “We had to do a rendezvous and approach of two spacecraft moving at 3km per second,” Froeliger said.
Following this success, Intelsat partnered with Northrop Grumman on a second mission in 2021, using MEV-2 to extend the life of Intelsat 10-02, a combination that remains operational today. Intelsat continues to seek out and invest in next-generation satellite life-extension projects and other innovation setting the stage for continued advancements and enabling emerging space companies to shape the future of the industry.
About Intelsat
Intelsat’s global team of professionals is focused on providing seamless and secure, satellite-based communications to government, NGO and commercial customers through the company’s next-generation worldwide network and managed services. Bridging the digital divide by operating one of the world’s largest and most advanced satellite fleet and connectivity infrastructures, Intelsat enables people and their tools to speak over oceans, see across continents and listen through the skies to communicate, cooperate and coexist. Since its founding six decades ago, the company has been synonymous with satellite-industry “firsts” in service to its customers and the planet. Leaning on a legacy of innovation and focusing on addressing a new generation of challenges Intelsat team members now have their sights on the “next firsts” in space as they disrupt the field and lead in the digital transformation of the industry.
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Media Contact:
Melissa Longo - melissa.longo@intelsat.com; +1 240-308-1881
Source: Intelsat
FAQ
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