technology
SpaceX rocket launches Northrop Grumman robot to attach life-extending thrusters to aging satellites
The Independent reported that a two-armed space robot launched Tuesday afternoon on a private mission to attach jetpacks to satellites. It is the second satellite-servicing spacecraft sent this month.
Jul 21, 5:18 PM·1m read1 source
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SpaceX launched Northrop Grumman’s minivan-sized mission robotic vehicle, or MRV, into orbit Tuesday afternoon carrying two 10-foot arms and three electric-propelled jetpacks the size of washing machines. The Independent reported that the flight marked the second satellite-servicing spacecraft sent this month. Each jetpack uses xenon gas thrusters and separated after liftoff.
The spacecraft will spend the next year reaching geosynchronous orbit at 22,300 miles altitude. Once there, the MRV will attach the jetpacks one by one to three aging communication satellites operated by SES of Luxembourg and Optus of Australia. The Independent reported that each jetpack is intended to extend satellite life by several years.
Northrop Grumman previously launched satellite-servicing spacecraft in 2019 and 2020. The company is now collaborating with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and DARPA on future servicing projects.
Separately, Katalyst Space Technologies is testing its Link spacecraft in orbit after fixing initial communication and pointing problems with software patches. Northrop Grumman provided Link’s ride to orbit on a Pegasus rocket. Link will raise NASA’s Swift gamma-ray observatory, launched in 2004, back to its original 373-mile altitude.
Recent solar activity has caused the observatory to sink faster than usual. NASA is paying Katalyst $30 million for the reboost mission.
