# MEV-2

> servicing spacecraft built by Northrop Grumman

**Wikidata**: [Q137920499](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q137920499)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mev-2

## Summary
MEV-2 (Mission Extension Vehicle 2) is a Northrop Grumman-built servicing spacecraft operated by SpaceLogistics. It is a GEO servicing vehicle launched on 2020-08-15 to extend the operational life of geostationary satellites and performed an on-orbit docking with Intelsat 10-02 on 2021-04-12.

## Key Facts
- MEV-2 is an instance of the Mission Extension Vehicle class of servicing spacecraft built by Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.  
- Launch date: 2020-08-15 at 22:04:00 UTC; launch site: ELA-3; launch vehicle: Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA253).  
- COSPAR ID: 2020-056B.  
- Dry mass: 2,875 kilograms.  
- Operator: SpaceLogistics.  
- Spacecraft bus: GEOStar-3.  
- Country of origin: United States.  
- Primary orbit type: geostationary orbit.  
- Design service life: 15 years (design life).  
- Notable on-orbit event: docking with Intelsat 10-02 on 2021-04-12.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary mission of MEV-2?
A: MEV-2 is a spacecraft designed to provide on-orbit servicing to geostationary satellites, including docking to client satellites to extend their operational life.

### Q: When and how was MEV-2 launched?
A: MEV-2 was launched on 2020-08-15 at 22:04:00 UTC from ELA-3 aboard an Ariane 5 ECA+ (flight VA253).

### Q: Which satellites did MEV-2 interact with after launch?
A: Significant events recorded for MEV-2 include its launch (with Galaxy 30 and BSAT-4b noted as other payloads on the same launch) and a docking with Intelsat 10-02 on 2021-04-12.

## Why It Matters
MEV-2 represents a practical approach to extending the usable life of existing geostationary satellites by providing external servicing capabilities. Instead of retiring satellites whose remaining fuel or attitude-control margins are depleted, operators can use servicers like MEV-2 to dock with active spacecraft and assume propulsion and attitude-control functions or otherwise stabilize and reposition the client satellite. This reduces the need for immediate replacement launches, lowers lifecycle costs for satellite operators, and can increase resilience and flexibility in satellite fleet management. By operating from geostationary orbit and using a GEOStar-3 bus with a multi-year design life, MEV-2 exemplifies a commercial in-orbit servicing model that supports satellite sustainability and more efficient use of orbital assets.

## Notable For
- Being part of the Mission Extension Vehicle program built by Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems to provide life-extension services to GEO satellites.  
- Launch aboard Ariane 5 ECA+ (VA253) on 2020-08-15.  
- Performing an operational docking to the live satellite Intelsat 10-02 on 2021-04-12.  
- Using the GEOStar-3 spacecraft bus and having a design life of 15 years.  
- Operated by SpaceLogistics, the commercial satellite servicing unit.

## Body

### Classification and identifiers
- Name / alias: MEV-2; Mission Extension Vehicle 2.  
- Instance of: Mission Extension Vehicle (servicing spacecraft).  
- SCN (satellite catalog number): 46113.  
- COSPAR ID: 2020-056B.  
- Wolfram Language entity code: Entity["Satellite", "46113"].

### Launch and mission timeline
- Launch date and time: 2020-08-15 at 22:04:00 UTC.  
- Launch site (start point): ELA-3.  
- Launch vehicle: Ariane 5 ECA+ (qualification/flight ID: VA253).  
- Significant launch context: same launch included Galaxy 30 and BSAT-4b as payloads.  
- On-orbit event: docking to Intelsat 10-02 occurred on 2021-04-12.

### Design and technical specifications
- Manufacturer: Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems.  
- Spacecraft bus: GEOStar-3.  
- Mass: 2,875 kg.  
- Country of origin: United States.  
- Design service life: 15 years (design life criterion).  
- Power and propulsion (as recorded):  
  - Spacecraft solar array (qualifiers recorded: P1114 = 2; P2109 = amount 10, unit Q3320608).  
  - Lithium‑ion battery (qualifier recorded: P4140 amount 290, unit Q212120).  
  - Ion thruster(s): qualifier recorded P1114 = 2 (two ion thrusters).

### Operations and roles
- Operator: SpaceLogistics.  
- Primary operational role: in-orbit servicing and life-extension for geostationary satellites by docking and providing propulsion/attitude support.  
- Operational orbit: geostationary orbit (satellite_of: geostationary orbit).  
- Notable operational demonstration: MEV-2 docked to an active Intelsat satellite (Intelsat 10-02) on 2021-04-12.

### Relationships and program context
- Preceded/follows: MEV-2 follows MEV-1 within the Mission Extension Vehicle program.  
- Class: part of the Mission Extension Vehicle family of servicers built by Northrop Grumman.  
- Associated identifiers and catalogue entries are recorded in public satellite registries (SCN 46113, COSPAR 2020-056B).

### Miscellaneous recorded data
- Space tug attribute: ESC-D H14.7 (qualifier P2598 = 5112) as recorded in the source dataset.  
- Sources for recorded facts include mission datasheets and program documentation referenced in the supplied structured properties.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/mev-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/mev-1)
4. [Source](https://spacenews.com/mev-2-servicer-successfully-docks-to-live-intelsat-satellite/)