Project Aurora forms part of a groundbreaking commercial satellite servicing program aimed at extending the life of satellites already in orbit.
With Phase 2 now underway, Optus is on track to extend the life of Optus D3 by up to six years through the installation of a Mission Extension Pod in late 2027.
Optus today announced the successful completion of the first phase of Project Aurora, its pioneering mission to extend the operational life of the Optus D3 satellite, following the successful undocking of the Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) from the satellite.
The milestone follows the recent successful launch of Northrop Grumman’s Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) and the Mission Extension Pod (MEP) designated for the Optus D3 mission, marking the commencement of the second phase of Project Aurora. Together, the two missions form part of a groundbreaking commercial satellite servicing program designed to extend the life of geostationary satellites through advanced on-orbit servicing technologies.
The completion of Phase 1 follows more than a year of successful operations by the MEV, which was deployed in May 2025 to provide additional propulsion and attitude control support to the Optus D3 satellite, ensuring service continuity while the next stage of the mission was prepared.
With the successful undocking now complete, Optus D3 is ready for the next phase of Project Aurora. Having successfully launched aboard a SpaceX vehicle, the MRV and MEP are now in orbit and progressing toward a planned docking and installation on the D3 satellite in late 2027.
Once installed, the MEP will augment the propulsion capabilities of the D3 satellite, effectively acting as an additional fuel source and extending the satellite's operational life by up to six years, helping to secure service continuity into the 2030s.
Harvey Wright, Executive General Manager, Satellite at Optus said the completion of Phase 1 and commencement of Phase 2 represented significant milestones for both Optus and the broader satellite industry.
"The successful undocking of the MEV from Optus D3 marks the completion of the first phase of Project Aurora and is a significant achievement in our mission to increase the resilience of our sovereign satellite fleet."
"Combined with the recent successful launch of the MRV and Optus' Mission Extension Pod, we are continuing to break new ground in satellite life extension in partnership with Northrop Grumman. These milestones demonstrate how innovative technologies can maximise the value of existing satellite assets while supporting long-term service continuity for customers."
"Project Aurora reflects our commitment to advancing satellite innovation, strengthening the resilience of our satellite network and driving more sustainable approaches to satellite operations. We now look ahead to the next major milestone, with installation of the MEP on Optus D3 scheduled for late 2027," he added.
The extension of Optus D3’s life is an important part of Optus’ broader satellite fleet strategy. Optus D3 provides important capacity and resilience within Optus' satellite network, and extending its operational life will help ensure continued service for customers while enhancing flexibility across the company’s satellite network.
The Northrop Grumman operated MRV is designed to service multiple satellites in orbit using sophisticated robotics, installing MEPs that provide propulsion support and extend mission lifespans. After docking, the Optus-owned and controlled MEP will play a critical role in maintaining the long-term performance of the D3 satellite.
Cassie Wong, director logistics and servicing, Northrop Grumman, said collaborating on Project Aurora continues to demonstrate the transformative potential of on-orbit satellite servicing.
“Our decade of proven experience in satellite servicing shows that mission-extension technology is here. This capability shows us a vision of how we can transform the industry as we know it today, with technologies that redefine the boundaries of resiliency and flexibility for in-space satellites.”
By investing in advanced satellite servicing technologies, Optus continues to lead in satellite innovation, reinforcing its commitment to delivering reliable, future-ready communications services across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
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