Satellite News

The launch of a Delta II carrying NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) has been postponed to allow additional time to review propulsion system data from the detanking operation after the launch attempt was scrubbed due to upper level winds.

ATK has conducted a third successful ground test of the next-generation solid rocket motor. The successful test, known as Development Motor (DM-3), is an important milestone in further validating the rocket’s potential use in heavy lift and commercial launch vehicles.

The first Galileo navigation satellite has arrived in Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, ready to begin preparations for launch on 20 October.

A tentative launch manifest has been set up for launches from Baikonur, including Soyuz and Proton rockets which have been cleared for return to flight. Reportedly, Globalstar has refused to have its next six second generation satellites launched before a successful Soyuz return to flight. No launch dates have been officially announced, though.

The root cause for the Progress M-12M transport ship accident on 24 August was a manufacturing flaw, Roskosmos said. [One might call it a quality control problem.]

KazSat 2 in-orbit tests are underway in accordance with the testing programme and mission plan. The satellite has been moved to its operational orbital slot 86.5 degrees East.

Solaris Mobile Ltd., the Dublin based operator of hybrid satellite and terrestrial wireless networks, has announced the launch of EUR RADIO – a new, free, pan-European digital satellite radio demonstration platform which will serve the European Union region.