Peter B. de Selding @pbdes 2h2 hours ago75% of components of 1st @OrbitalATK satellite Mission Extension Vehicle now built; system testing in spring; on track for late 2018 launch.
Peter B. de Selding @pbdes 4m4 minutes agoCulbertson @OrbitalATK : We're about to sign 2d customer for Mission Extension Vehicle sat servicing program. [@Intelsat's 1st, in 2019].
Michelle @spacechelle 2m2 minutes agoSpace Logistics LLC, subsidiary of @OrbitalATK is poised to be first to launch their satellite servicing vehicle. Planned for 2018 #IAC2017
Jeff Foust @jeff_foust 2m2 minutes agoTom Wilson, Space Logistics LLC: spending lot of time on regulatory issues for satellite life extension, but has been cooperative. #IAC2017
On December 5, 2017, the Satellite Division granted in part and deferred in part, with conditions, the request of Space Logistics, LLC for authority to construct, deploy, and conduct telemetry, tracking and command functions with its Mission Extension Vehicle-1 (MEV-1). Space Logistics was authorized to conduct TT&C operations in the 5925-6425 MHz and 13.75-14.5 GHz (Earth-to-space), and 3700-4200 MHz and 11.45-12.25 GHz (space-to Earth) frequency bands as MEV-1: (i) is deployed from the launch vehicle; engages in orbit-raising maneuvers and conducts various post-launch system verification tests, and moves through the geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO); (ii) raises its orbit to the geostationary orbit "graveyard" orbit 300 km above the GSO orbital arc; and (iii) performs rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking with the Intelsat-901 space station (Call Sign S2405) in the graveyard orbit. Space Logistics' request to relocate MEV-1 with Intelsat-901 to the orbital location of another operational Intelsat satellite was deferred. Action on Space Logistics' request to relocate MEV-1 to a graveyard orbit at the completion of Intelsat-901's mission and to undock MEV-1 after de-commissioning of Intelsat-901 was also deferred.
with the launch anomaly with SES-14 & AL YAH 3 (which is Orbital ATK Sat), could they launch MEV into direct insertion GEO to provide maximum MEV for these types of mission or slow and steady would be fine?
Bout time to bump this thread with launch tomorrow, updates in the Russian Launcher section:https://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=41418.0
Overview article!https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/10/proton-rocket-launch-northrop-extension-vehicle/- By Chris Gebhardthttps://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/1181686045655683073
MEV-1 - Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle, launched Oct 9, has interrupted its move from super-synchronous orbit to GEO with no detectable thruster firings since Nov 19.https://twitter.com/Zarya_Info/status/1199070952400838657