Intelsat contracts with Arianespace for double launch
January 10, 2018
By Chris Forrester
Intelsat will use Arianespace for a pair of high-profile satellite launches. One of the satellites, the snappily named Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV-2) is the so-called ‘Space Tug’ being developed by builders Orbital-ATK and its Space Logistics subsidiary.
MEV-2 will be owned by Space Logistics, and its first customer will be Intelsat. Intelsat will use MEV-2 (and its predecessor MEV-1) to rescue, refuel and/or move ailing satellites whilst in orbit. The MEV-2 craft provides life-extending services by taking over the orbit maintenance and attitude control functions of a client’s spacecraft.
MEV-2 will be carried within the same rocket fairing with Intelsat’s Galaxy-30 craft as a stacked pair. Galaxy-30 is also being built by Orbital ATK.
Launch of this par will be in “early 2020” says Intelsat. Intelsat has also booked a flight with Arianespace for later in 2020.