Northrop Grumman subsidiary SpaceLogistics successfully docked
its first mission extension vehicle (MEV-1) with commercial communications satellite
Intelsat 901 (IS-901) on Tuesday. The maneuver marks the first time two
commercial satellites have docked in orbit. MEV-1 will remain docked with IS-901
for five years, using its own thrusters and fuel supply to extend the
satellite’s life. Following the five-year term, it will move the satellite to a
final decommissioning orbit.
Cool idea, assuming the original satellite has the docking apparatus built in before launch. Too bad they can’t get a device to capture older dead satellites and guide them back to reentry so we stop junking up space with stuff past its operating life.