Satellite News

Orbcomm Inc., a global satellite data communications company focused on providing Machine to Machine (M2M) solutions, announced the launch of its initial public offering of 11,153,800 shares of common stock at an estimated offering price range of US$12 to US$14 per share.

Russia has restructured its space sector by incorporating four formerly independent companies into Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center.

Nallatech, a provider of high-performance FPGA computing solutions, announced its collaboration for developing a test platform for space borne processing with Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Space Technology sector.

China is to launch its second geosynchronous meteorological satellite aboard a Chang Zheng 3A from Xichang Satellite Launch Centre at the end of this year.

Sinosat-2, China’s long-delayed first direct broadcast satellite, will be launched aboard a Chang Zheng 3B on 29 October from the Xichang launch centre, according to Xinhua news agency.

Astrium and ESA’s teams at ESA’s European Space Operations Center in Darmstadt, Germany, have proceeded to the check-out of MetOp-A and confirmed that all systems are operating nominally.

Alliant Techsystems has received a US$17.5 million contract from Orbital Sciences Corporation for CASTOR 120 motors.

Rocket: Soyuz-U; Payload: Progress M-58 (Progress 23P); Date: 23 October 2006, 1340 UTC; Launch Site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Progress cargo spacecraft was successfully placed on the target orbit for another mission to the International Space Station.