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Satnews Daily
March 8th, 2012

ViviSat... Making The MEV Moves (Satellite)


[SatNews] ViviSat, the only U.S.-based provider of in-orbit servicing, will be showing the satellite industry...

...that it is ready to build its mission extension vehicles. Through exhibits, panel sessions, and video at the Satellite 2012 Conference and Exhibition, ViviSat and its founders will present the flexible, scalable, capital-efficient, and low-risk in-orbit mission extension and protection services that can add several years to the revenue-producing life of a satellite. ViviSat's founders are U.S. Space LLC, a U.S.-based creator of dedicated space solutions for government and commercial clients, and ATK [NYSE: ATK], an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company.

Craig P. Weston, Chief Executive Officer of ViviSat, said, "At ViviSat, we are making substantial progress across the board -- the design phase is progressing on schedule and we are in serious negotiations with potential customers. We are open for business, making good headway, and getting a good response. We are ready to build."

Tom Wilson, Board Member of ViviSat and Vice President and General Manager of ATK Spacecraft Systems and Services, said, "The market conditions for ViviSat are strong, with productive and energetic activity on numerous fronts. Both government and commercial organizations are engaged, and ViviSat is participating in many business and research efforts. All of this activity demonstrates what we've been saying—there is great value in revitalizing space assets."

The company's activities at Satellite 2012 will include Craig Weston's participation in the panel discussion DoD Procurement Efficiencies in a Budget Constrained Environment on Tuesday, March 13th, at 4:30 pm. ViviSat Chief Operating Officer Bryan McGuirk will be a panelist in the session on Satellite Life Extension: Ready to Make an Impact? on Wednesday, March 14th, at 10:15 am.

Satellite 2012 participants who want to learn more about ViviSat can visit the ATK exhibit at booth 911. Members of the ViviSat team will be available to share information and materials and will introduce an animated video of ATK's Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV). The MEV is designed to dock with the orbiting satellite, securely latch onto it, and serve as a back-up propulsion system. This enables a mission extension for satellites which have run out of maneuvering fuel yet still have plenty of electrical power to operate their payloads. ViviSat services include rendezvous and docking without interruption of satellite operation, long-term station-keeping and attitude control, relocation to different orbits or orbital slots, de-orbiting, and rescue and re-orbiting of satellites stranded in incorrect orbital slots. ViviSat company information link.