Geostationary Orbit – Spaceflight Now

Northrop Grumman servicer docks with active satellite in geosynchronous orbit

April 13, 2021 Stephen Clark

Northrop Grumman’s second robotic life extension spacecraft docked with an Intelsat satellite in geosynchronous orbit Monday, the first link-up between a commercial servicing mission and an operational communications craft.

Photos: Servicing spacecraft approaches Intelsat satellite high above Earth

February 26, 2020 Stephen Clark

Northrop Grumman’s first Mission Extension Vehicle captured spectacular views of the commercial Intelsat 901 communications satellite as it approached for docking this week, providing the first-ever up-close public views of a spacecraft flying near geosynchronous orbit more than 22,000 miles above Earth.

Two commercial satellites link up in space for first time

February 26, 2020 Stephen Clark

A Northrop Grumman robotic servicing spacecraft has hooked up with an aging Intelsat communications satellite more than 22,000 miles over the Pacific Ocean, accomplishing the first link-up between two commercial satellites in space, and the first docking with a satellite that was never designed to receive a visitor.

Intelsat declares drifting satellite total loss

April 22, 2019 Stephen Clark

Intelsat has declared the Intelsat 29e communications satellite a total loss after the Boeing-built spacecraft suffered a fuel leak and shed debris in geostationary orbit, three years into a planned 15-year mission.

Stricken with fuel leak, Intelsat 29e seen drifting in geostationary orbit

April 15, 2019 Stephen Clark

A Boeing-built Intelsat communications satellite launched three years ago is drifting in geostationary orbit more than 22,000 miles over the equator after suffering a fuel leak and releasing debris fragments last week, according to an analysis by space surveillance experts.