Orbital ATK Completes Mission Extension Vehicle Satellite System Preliminary Design Review
June 20 2017 - 8:30AM
Business Wire
Milestone Achieved in Partnership with NASA
Through Collaborative Space Act Agreement
First Mission Extension Vehicle to Launch in
2018, Provide Services in 2019
Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA), a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies, today announced the completion of its Rendezvous,
Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD) system preliminary design
review. The RPOD system comprises the sensors, actuators and
control algorithms which allow for the detection, tracking, and
safe approach to a client spacecraft. The company’s first Mission
Extension Vehicle (MEV-1) will provide satellite life extension
services to Intelsat S.A. beginning in 2019.
Orbital ATK has been working with several NASA centers on
various elements for the company’s Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV)
RPOD system as part of a Collaboration for Commercial Space
Capabilities Space Act Agreement (SAA) established in 2014. In
addition to completing the RPOD preliminary design review, NASA has
also given input on the RPOD concept of operations review,
electrostatic discharge management and lighting designs.
“Our partnership with NASA through this Commercial Space
Capabilities Space Act Agreement is an excellent example of how
government can support commercialization of complex technology
development,” said Frank Culbertson, President of Orbital ATK’s
Space Systems Group. “NASA’s collaboration and feedback are helping
us ensure that we are on the right track to delivering a safe and
successful mission with our MEV product while pioneering a new
market in satellite servicing.”
The SAA allows Orbital ATK’s Advanced Programs Division and NASA
to collaborate on technologies and new product development that
meet the needs of the emerging space logistics industry. The SAA is
an unfunded partnership through NASA’s Collaborations for
Commercial Space Capabilities Office at the agency’s Johnson Space
Center in Houston, Texas. The agreement defines principal
milestones on Orbital ATK’s scheduled commercial activities and
allows NASA to offer assistance and feedback on key developments.
By leveraging NASA expertise, the company will continue to enhance
its innovative in-orbit programs for government and commercial
space customers.
Through its wholly owned subsidiary Space Logistics LLC, Orbital
ATK will introduce in-orbit satellite servicing with MEV-1 which is
based on the company’s GEOStarTM spacecraft bus platform.
Controlled by the company’s satellite operations team, the MEV-1
uses a reliable, low-risk docking system that attaches to existing
features on a customer’s satellite. The MEV-1 provides
life-extending services by taking over the propulsion and attitude
control functions of the client spacecraft. The vehicle has a
15-year design life with the ability to perform numerous dockings
and undockings during its life span. MEV-1 is set to launch in 2018
and, following its orbit raising and in-orbit testing, will provide
a five year life extension service to an Intelsat satellite
starting in the second quarter of 2019.
About Orbital ATK
Orbital ATK is a global leader in aerospace and defense
technologies. The company designs, builds and delivers space,
defense and aviation systems for customers around the world, both
as a prime contractor and merchant supplier. Its main products
include launch vehicles and related propulsion systems; missile
products, subsystems and defense electronics; precision weapons,
armament systems and ammunition; satellites and associated space
components and services; and advanced aerospace structures.
Headquartered in Dulles, Virginia, Orbital ATK employs
approximately 12,500 people in 18 states across the U.S. and in
several international locations. For more information, visit
www.orbitalatk.com.
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