Satellite News

New GPS satellite launched (part II)

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:59:00 +0000

Approximately three hours and 25 minutes after yesterday’s launch of GPS IIF-4, Boeing personnel in El Segundo confirmed that the satellite was performing as expected.

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Kepler loses another reaction wheel

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:58:00 +0000

At a contact on 14 May 2013, the Kepler spacecraft once again was found in safe mode. It was caused by a reaction wheel that NASA says has permanently failed. With the loss of a second reaction wheel, it’s unlikely that the spacecraft will be able to return to the high pointing accuracy that enables its high-precision photometry. However, no decision has been made to end data collection.

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Roskosmos denies partial launch failure

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:57:00 +0000

Roskosmos denied reports that a Rokot/Briz-KM launched from Plesetsk cosmodrome on 15 January 2013 had partially failed.

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NASA’s asteroid sample return mission moves into development

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:56:00 +0000

NASA’s first mission to sample an asteroid is moving ahead into development and testing in preparation for its launch in 2016.

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Telespazio VEGA Deutschland wins ExoMars MCS contract

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:55:00 +0000

Telespazio VEGA Deutschland, a subsidiary of Telespazio (Finmeccanica/Thales), has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the development of the ExoMars Mission Control System (MCS).

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Mid-East satellite jamming increased amidst political unrest

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:54:00 +0000

The jamming of satellite channels across the Arab world increased significantly since the start of the “Arab Spring” in early 2011, according to Arabsat vice president Nabil Shanti.

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New GPS satellite launched (part I)

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:59:00 +0000

Rocket: Atlas V; Payload: GPS IIF-4; Date: 15 May 2013, 2138 UTC; Launch site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, USA. Payload separation was to occur 3 hours, 32 minutes after lift-off [too late for this issue].

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Update: Proton lifts off with Eutelsat 3D

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:58:00 +0000

International Launch Services (ILS) successfully placed the Eutelsat 3D satellite into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) for Eutelsat Communications of Paris, France. The satellite was released 9 hours and 13 minutes after a standard five-burn Briz M mission. Also, Eutelsat signed a new launch contract with ILS.

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ATV Albert Einstein is installed on its Ariane 5 launcher

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:57:00 +0000

Arianespace marked one of the final steps in preparations for the next Ariane 5 launch as Europe’s latest Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) was integrated atop the heavy-lift workhorse at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

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Astrium to build new satellite for RSCC

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:56:00 +0000

Astrium has been awarded a contract by the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) to build the EkspressAMU1/Eutelsat 36C satellite that will provide follow-on and expansion capacity for the Eutelsat 36A broadcast satellite operating at 36 degrees East.

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