Northrop Grumman Corporation and its subsidiary SpaceLogistics LLC have demonstrated an extraterrestrial View of IS-901 satellite from MEV-1’s “near hold” position during approach from approximately 20 m with Earth in the background. Source: Northrop Grumman Corporationfirst with the docking of two commercial satellites in orbit. Intelsat 901 (IS-901), a communications satellite running low on fuel, docked with Northrop’s MEV (Mission Extension Vehicle)-1 craft to receive life extension services.

MEV-1 linked up with IS-901, which was removed from service in December 2019, at an altitude of 22,416 miles above the Earth on February 25 by means of a drogue mechanism to capture and dock with the satellite. The combined spacecraft is currently undergoing system checks before MEV-1 positions IS-901 for a return to service in late March.

Designed for multiple docking and undocking operations to deliver over 15 years of life extension services, MEV-1 will provide five years of life extension services to IS-901 before returning the spacecraft to a final decommissioning orbit.

Launch of a second MEV later this year to service another Intelsat satellite is planned by Northrup.