Satellite News

Eutelsat Communications said the board and some of the company’s main shareholders have been approached about a possible transaction involving the company’s shares.

All systems are operating as expected on the first Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) payload following a successful on-orbit checkout by a joint U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin team.

During its first relay test since reaching Mars in March, NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) used its radio payload, called Electra, in a two-way link with NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover Spirit.

Orbital Sciences Corporation said that it has been selected by SES New Skies of The Netherlands, to design, build and deliver the NSS-9 commercial communications satellite.

China’s recently launched SinoSat 2 (Xinnuo 2) failed to deploy its solar panels, the Hong Kong-based Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy said. There has been no official confirmation so far.

Once again, there is confusion regarding a Russian optical spy satellite. Kosmos 2423 disintegrated at the end of last week, leaving 28 fragments of various size. The Russian Ministry of Defence denied reports that the Orlets-1/Don class spacecraft was destroyed because of technical problems.

The U.S. Air Force announced the award of a US$674 million Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Launch Capability (ELC) contract to Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

Micro-Ant Inc. has announced the development of its Blade technology, which as applied to microstrip antennas, enhances electrical performance while allowing for smaller, cheaper, and…