What Happened
Space Robot Blasts Off to Slap Life-Extending Jetpacks on Aging Satellites
A private mission has launched to extend the life of out-of-gas communication satellites by attaching life-extending jetpacks. The mission, launched by SpaceX, will use Northrop Grumman’s MRV spacecraft to attach jetpacks to aging satellites, potentially saving satellite operators millions of dollars in replacement costs. This is part of a growing effort to keep old spacecraft running as long as possible, with another company’s spacecraft launching earlier this month to boost NASA’s Swift Observatory. The mission was reported by the Associated Press.