A spacecraft equipped with robotic arms launched this week to begin a mission servicing satellites in geosynchronous orbit. The Mission Robotic Vehicle, built by Northrop Grumman, lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The Mission Robotic Vehicle rocketed into orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Tuesday. Three Mission Extension Pods accompanied it on the flight. The payloads will take about a year to reach their operational orbit more than 22,000 miles above the equator.
The MRV carries two flexible robotic arms developed under a DARPA program. It will install the pods on client satellites to extend their operational life. Northrop Grumman has commercial agreements with SES and Optus for the service.
The spacecraft is designed for inspections, repairs, and upgrades on satellites not built for servicing. Ground teams tested the arms extensively, though engineers noted challenges with microgravity dynamics.
The US Space Force plans to use the MRV on at least one of its satellites. The mission is expected to last 10 to 13 years.
