Space Logistics Services
Northrop Grumman provides life extension services to satellite operators in geosynchronous orbit. The Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) is the industy's first on-orbit satellite servicing vehicle.
What is Space Logistics?
SpaceLogistics LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, provides cooperative space logistics and in-orbit satellite servicing to geosynchronous satellite operators using its fleet of commercial servicing vehicles. Our initial servicing vehicle, the Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV)™ docks with customers' existing satellites providing the propulsion and attitude control needed to extend their lives. We have now introduced our next generation system, Mission Extension Pods (MEPs)™, which is a smaller and less expensive life extension service that only performs orbit control. The MEPs are installed by a robotic servicing vehicle called the Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV)™ which can perform all the functions of an MEV while adding new robotic capabilities for additional services.
Our life extension services are compatible with virtually all geosynchronous satellites with minimal interruption to operations. They enable satellite operators to significantly extend satellite mission life, activate new markets, drive asset value and protect their franchises. SpaceLogistics delivers life extension services that are flexible, scalable, capital-efficient and low-risk.
Our breakthrough innovations provide satellite operators unprecedented flexibility in asset deployment, enabling game-changing advances in financial and operating flexibility, and risk mitigation.
About SpaceLogistics
SpaceLogistics is a global leader in in-orbit satellite servicing systems and services for commercial and government customers. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman.
Future Capability
Our vision is to establish a fleet of commercial servicing vehicles in GEO that can address most any servicing need. Northrop Grumman continues to make deep investments in in-orbit servicing and is working closely with U.S. Government agencies to develop the next generation space logistics technologies. These technologies include robotics and high-power solar electric propulsion to enable future services building upon our keep-it-simple approach to satellite life extension. These future services are expected to include
- Propellant augmentation
- Inspection and repair
- Replacement or enhancement of parts and systems
- Incorporation of auxiliary propulsion, navigation, power, payloads and other functions to enhance the performance or extend the satellite's life
- In-orbit robotic assembly of space structures
MEV In Action
Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) Program
The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected SpaceLogistics LLC as its commercial partner for the agency’s Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) program. The groundbreaking mission will feature the first-ever commercial robotic servicing spacecraft and expand the market for satellite servicing of both commercial and government client satellites with advanced robotics technology. The enhanced capabilities include in-orbit repair, augmentation, assembly, detailed inspection and relocation of client satellites. Read more here.
MEV-1 Mission Profile
Our SpaceLogistics services are specifically designed to fit customers' business models, as well as their technical requirements. The simplicity and costeffectiveness of the service provides customers with access to new markets and new opportunities — and protects asset value. SpaceLogistics services provide operators with opportunities to improve financial performance, better manage cash flows, break down barriers to enter new markets and reduce risks by:
- Extending satellite life to prolong revenues or defer capital expenses
- Redeploying satellites to start new orbital roles
- Creating in-orbit backup to protect revenues
- Protecting satellite revenues from procurement delays and launch failures