Northrop Grumman has launched its Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV), a satellite fitted with two robotic arms intended to begin a decade-long mission servicing spacecraft in geostationary orbit. The mission matters because it could extend satellites’ working lives and demonstrates a sophisticated US capability that has both commercial uses and potential military significance.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched the MRV and three separate Mission Extension Pods from Florida; they are expected to take about a year to reach an orbit roughly 36,000 kilometres above the equator. DARPA contributed about $420 million towards the robotics payload, alongside Northrop Grumman’s investment, combining their servicing programme with DARPA’s RSGS initiative. China has previously demonstrated comparable manoeuvring and refuelling technologies, which US officials say could also be used against satellites.