Falcon 9 Block 5 | MRV-1
July 21, 2026 at 09:15 PM UTC
MISSION
The Northrop Grumman/SpaceLogistics MRV-1 is a mission extension payload including a mission robotic vehicle (MRV) and multiple mission extension pods (MEPs). The MRV is designed to attach up to 30 MEPs (Mission Extension Pods) to various satellites in GEO over the course of its life, and the MEPs (Mission Extension Pods) are 400 kg spacecraft designed to be captured by the MRV and then attached to a customer's satellite. A single MEP can extend a 2000 kg satellite's service life by up to 6 years. For this mission, 2 of the MEP's will service satellites for Intelsat, while the third will service a satellite for Optus.
OUTCOME
Falcon 9 Block 5 | MRV-1 completed its mission. The vehicle performed as expected and the payload reached its intended destination. SpaceX logged another successful flight in what has become a routine that was, not long ago, considered impossible to achieve at this pace.
The launch vehicle successfully inserted its payload(s) into the target orbit(s).
VEHICLE
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
If this mission lands back at the Cape or Vandenberg, find out if you are close enough to hear the double sonic boom.
CHECK YOUR LOCATION →