Satellite News

Telenor has entered into a definitive agreement with Apax Partners France for the sale of Telenor Satellite Services (TSS) to funds managed by Apax Partners for a cash consideration of US$400 million (NOK2,640 million, EUR315 million).

Lockheed Martin said it shipped the second Pointing & Control Assembly (PCA) for the second geosynchronous orbit (GEO-2) satellite in the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) programme to Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems.

Alcatel Alenia Space announced that it will develop and supply the S-Band Formation Flying Radio Frequency (FFRF) sensor for the PRISMA mission.

The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F-17 Block 5D-3 spacecraft, built under contract for the U.S. Air Force by Lockheed Martin , is undergoing final preparation for a launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base on 4 November.

Intelsat announced that its PAS-6B satellite experienced an anomaly during a routine, scheduled manoeuvre on 26 October [possibly 25 October UTC — the company didn’t give an exact time.]

The recently launched Russian Progress M-58 cargo spacecraft has failed to dock properly with the International Space Station owing to a mechanical glitch.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has put off this month’s launch of Cartosat-2, its long-delayed advanced remote sensing satellite, to January according to PTI news agency.

Rocket: Delta II 7925-10L; Payload: Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO A, STEREO B); Date: 26 October 2006, 0052 UTC; Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, USA. Following a 25-minute flight, the Delta II placed the spacecraft in a highly elliptical, near escape orbit to complete the mission.