Satellite News

Visiona Tecnologia Espacial S.A. and Telebras formally signed a contract to supply the Defense and Strategic Communications Geostationary Satellite (SGDC) system. The BRL1.3 billion (US$556 million) contract provides for the system to be delivered by the end of 2016.

ESA’s network of tracking stations will provide crucial support for the five-day lunar cruise of China’s Chang’e-3 spacecraft. Chang’e-3 lift-off is set for around 1800 UTC on 1 December, and the 15 m-diameter dish in Kourou will pick up the first signals around 1844 UTC.