Satellite News

Sea Launch Co. signed an agreement with SES to launch a yet-to-be-determined satellite aboard a Land Launch vehicle…

VEGA Group PLC, an independent Programme and System Assurance Company, has been awarded a frame contract by the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, to provide services for their navigation activities.

Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV) announced the appointment of John H. Mattingly, a 20 year veteran of the satellite services industry, to the position of President, Satellite Services.

EU transport ministers said they will seek alternatives for completing Galileo, the European satellite navigation system, unless the current consortium resolves key organisation, technical and financial problems within weeks.

NASA has selected Space Systems Loral and MicroSat Systems, Inc. for award of the Rapid Spacecraft Development Office, Rapid II, contracts with a minimum value of US$50,000 each.

Only nine of the 19 Uragan satellites now in orbit are currently operating within Russia’s satellite navigation system GLONASS, reports Itar-Tass news agency.

Sea Launch has entered into an agreement with SES to use the Land Launch vehicle, initially slated to launch the AMC-21 communications satellite, for the launch of another, yet to be determined, satellite of the SES group, planned in the mid-2009 time-frame.

Arianespace CEO Jean-Yves Le Gall said the company was “committed to supporting the future evolution of the mobile satellite services (MSS) industry, offering reliable access to space on its heavy-lift Ariane 5 and medium-weight Soyuz launch vehicles.” There’s a snag, though: the Ariane 5 can’t loft these birds on a dual launch.