Satellite News

A payload consisting of a sensor with a focal plane array large enough to capture images of the entire visible part of the Earth from a geosynchronous missile warning satellite is in development by Raytheon Company under a US$54.4 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory.

Integral Systems, Inc. has been selected by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) to provide primary and backup satellite control systems for the Vinasat-1 satellite.

JAXA’s Large Deployable Reflector Small-sized Partial Model 2 (LDREX-2), recently launched aboard an Ariane 5 ECA, has deployed its antenna as planned, the agency said.

The Sea Launch team is preparing for its fifth mission of 2006, the launch of the XM-4 satellite. The Odyssey Launch Platform and the Sea Launch Commander have departed from Home Port in Long Beach, California/USA, and are on their way to the launch site on the Equator to begin launch operations.