World's Most Advanced Robotic Satellite for Servicing Launched into Geostationary Orbit

Northrop Grumman has launched the Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) satellite, equipped with two flexible manipulators, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. The spacecraft is designed to service satellites in geostationary orbit (36,000 kilometers above the equator). Alongside the MRV, three Mission Extension Pods (MEPs) — each an independent spacecraft — were deployed. The transition from an initial elliptical orbit to a circular one will take about a year. After that, the MRV will be able to perform servicing operations and extend the service life of satellites. To date, it is the most complex known satellite robot for servicing spacecraft. Previously, China launched the SJ-21 and SJ-25 spacecraft to demonstrate servicing technologies: SJ-21 moved a defunct navigation satellite to a graveyard orbit, while SJ-25 conducted the first refueling in geostationary orbit.