Northrop Grumman的两臂空间机器人MRV搭乘SpaceX火箭从佛罗里达州卡纳维拉尔角发射升空[1]，将执行商业卫星延寿任务。该机器人携带三个电动推进器[1]，每个约洗衣机大小[1]，计划在距地表22300英里的地球同步轨道上为燃料耗尽的通信卫星安装推进系统，为其延长数年工作寿命[1]。预计任务将在2027年中期完成[1]，卡车运营商包括卢森堡的SES和澳大利亚的Optus[1]。
MRV配备两条10英尺长的机械臂用于精确安装推进器[1]。这是本月第二次卫星拯救行动，此前Katalyst Space Technologies刚刚获得NASA 3000万美元合同用于提升Swift观测站[1]，该观测站位于距地表373英里的轨道上，造价接近4亿美元[1]。
Northrop Grumman此前曾在2019年和2020年执行过类似的卫星维修任务[1]。
Northrop Grumman's dual-armed robotic spacecraft, the MRV, lifted off aboard a SpaceX rocket on a commercial mission to refurbish aging communication satellites in orbit [1]. The vehicle will travel to geostationary orbit, located 22,300 miles above Earth, where it will install electric propulsion units on fuel-depleted satellites operated by Luxembourg-based SES and Australia's Optus, extending their operational lifespans by several years [1].
The MRV carries three electric thrusters, each roughly the size of a washing machine, which will be deployed using its two 10-meter mechanical arms [1]. The mission is expected to reach its destination by mid-2027 [1]. This represents the second major satellite servicing operation announced this month, following Katalyst Space Technologies' contract to restore NASA's Swift Observatory, which received a $30 million agreement to boost the spacecraft from its original altitude of 373 miles [1].
Northrop Grumman has previously conducted similar on-orbit satellite repair missions in 2019 and 2020, establishing experience in this emerging commercial service sector [1].