Optus buys Space Tug from Northrop Grumman
March 1, 2022
By Chris Forrester
Australian satellite operator Optus is buying a Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV), informally known as a Space Tug, in order to rescue one of its satellites.
The Robotic System will come from SpaceLogistics, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman and is planned for a SpaceX launch in 2024.
The MRV varies slightly from two previous space tugs currently being used by Intelsat to secure the orbits of two of their satellites. This new mission will carry three jet propulsion packs currently in development at Northrop’s facility in Dulles, near Washington DC.
Sources at SpaceLogistics says that it has 5 clients now in discussion over the MRVs with similar rescue missions in mind.