Space Robot Launches to Extend Life of Aging Satellites

A two-armed space robot launched Tuesday on a private mission to attach life-extending jetpacks to aging satellites running low on fuel. Northrop Grumman's robotic vehicle, dubbed MRV, is on a mission to add years to the operational life of communication satellites thousands of miles above Earth.

The MRV, launched by SpaceX, will spend approximately one year maneuvering into geosynchronous orbit, about 22,300 miles (36,000 kilometers) above Earth. In this orbit, satellites match the speed of Earth's rotation, allowing for continuous coverage of a specific area.

Once in position, the minivan-sized spacecraft will use its 10-foot arms to attach electric-propelled jetpacks, each the size of a washing machine, to three different satellites. These jetpacks will provide the necessary propulsion for the out-of-gas satellites to continue operating for several more years, potentially saving satellite operators millions of dollars in replacement costs.

This is not Northrop Grumman's first venture into satellite servicing. The company previously launched spacecraft in 2019 and 2020 that extended the life of communication satellites. Future versions of its robotic helpers are envisioned to repair and relocate live satellites, and even remove defunct ones from orbit.

Northrop Grumman is collaborating with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency on this initiative. This mission follows another satellite-saving effort that launched earlier this month, where a three-armed spacecraft was sent to boost NASA's Swift Observatory.