Intelsat Extends Life of Aging Satellite with Northrop Grumman's MEV-2 Servicer

Intelsat has signed a deal to use Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle-2 (MEV-2) to extend the life of its 10-02 satellite by an additional four years, pushing its operational lifespan to 2030. MEV-2 has been docked with the 10-02 satellite since 2021, marking a significant milestone as the first servicer to dock with an in-service geosynchronous commercial satellite.

Geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites are generally designed to function for 15 to 20 years before their fuel runs low. The 10-02 satellite, which has been operational since 2004, has provided critical broadcast and broadband services to customers across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. This satellite is part of a joint venture with Norway's Telenor Satellite, helping distribute over 900 channels to nearly 18 million households across Europe.

Intelsat's initial contract with Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics subsidiary for the 10-02 satellite was for a duration of five years. However, recognizing the benefits of extending the satellite’s service life, Intelsat has now opted to extend the partnership.

On May 23, Intelsat revealed an extension of its contract for MEV-1, which docked with IS-901 in 2020 in a GEO graveyard orbit—located a few hundred kilometers above active satellites— subsequently returning the spacecraft to service. Launched in 2001, IS-901 provides broadcast and broadband services across North and South America, Africa, and Europe.

According to Intelsat, MEV-1 will use its onboard propulsion to relocate IS-901 back to the GEO graveyard orbit after the initial five-year servicing period concludes in 2025. The satellite operator has not yet finalized the location and timeline for its next mission with MEV-1 and is still determining the exact timing for the new contract.

Both MEV-1 and MEV-2 were designed with a 15-year operational life to perform multiple servicing missions. However, these and two other spacecraft are experiencing reduced power to their thrusters due to issues with onboard Power Processing Units (PPUs).

Looking ahead, SpaceLogistics is preparing to launch a new servicing spacecraft, the Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV), in 2025. This spacecraft will be equipped with a robotic arm designed to install propulsion "jetpacks," known as Mission Extension Pods (MEPs), which can extend a GEO satellite’s life by six years. Three MEPs are scheduled to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket next year, with Intelsat having ordered two and Australia’s Optus ordering the third for missions beginning in 2026.

SpaceLogistics anticipates installing up to 30 MEPs over the 3,000-kilogram MRV's 10-year operational life. While financial details have not been disclosed, the company suggests that installing MEPs using a robotic servicer will be more cost-effective and efficient than attaching the larger MEVs to satellites.

MEV-1 and MEV-2 had launch masses of 2,330 kilograms and 2,875 kilograms, respectively.