Orbital ATK Invest More on In-Orbit Satellite Servicing Tech

Artist rendering of Orbital ATK’s next generation of in-orbit satellite servicing technology, the Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) and Mission Extension Pods (MEPs). Photo: Orbital ATK/Business Wire

Orbital ATK announced its plans for the company’s next generation of satellite life extension and in-space servicing products. During a keynote address at the SATELLITE 2018 Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C., Orbital ATK President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David W. Thompson and SpaceLogistics President Tom L. Wilson introduced a new robotic servicing system that provides additional options for customers to enhance the value of their satellites. This new space system also enables the company to expand its customer base with advanced mission capabilities.

The new system consists of two products, Mission Extension Pods (MEPs) and Mission Robotic Vehicles (MRVs), which complement Orbital ATK’s Mission Extension Vehicle (MEVs), by providing customers with more flexibility to extend the life and effect repairs to their valuable in-orbit satellite assets. The MEP is an external propulsion module that attaches to and provides up to five years of orbital life extension for aging satellites which are running low on fuel, but are otherwise healthy. While the primary application of the MRV is to transport and install MEPs or other payloads on customer satellites, it will also offer space robotic capabilities for in-orbit repairs and similar functions.

MEP installation is low risk and allows a customer to remain in full control of their satellite before, during and after the process. Both new products leverage the company’s MEV technology while adding new capabilities to its expanding fleet of in-orbit servicing vehicles. SpaceLogistics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Orbital ATK, is now offering the new system with initial launch scheduled for 2021.

As Orbital ATK introduces its newest in-orbit servicing system, the company continues to make progress on the production of its first two Mission Extension Vehicles. MEV 1 is scheduled to launch in late 2018 and MEV 2 is targeted for lift-off in early 2020. Each MEV has a 15-year design life with the ability to perform numerous dockings and other services during its life span. Intelsat is the initial customer for the first two MEVs.

The MEV, MEPs and MRV are part of SpaceLogistics’ long-range plan to establish a fleet of in-orbit servicing vehicles that can address diverse space logistics needs including repair, assembly and through-space transportation. The company is also working with U.S. government agencies to develop and implement new capabilities in its servicing vehicle fleet. These include next-generation repair vehicles, in-orbit assembly of large space structures, and cargo delivery and logistics services to deep-space gateways in lunar orbit.