Satellite News

The launch of Ekspress-AM33 aboard a Proton M has been scheduled for 28 January.

NASA has once again delayed the launch of the space shuttle Atlantis that is to carry the European Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station. No new launch date has been set.

China Satellite Communications Corporation (China Satcom), Sino Satellite Communications Company Ltd. (Sinosat) and China Orient Telecommunications Satellite Company Ltd. (China Orient) have been merged into a single company.

The Turkish government is to select the manufacturer of the planned Gokturk military imaging satellite within three months, according to Turkish Press.

Japan’s lunar probe Kaguya (SELENE) has gone into full operation on schedule, JAXA announced.

Rocket: Proton M/Block DM2; Payload: three Uragan-M satellites (likely designated Kosmos 2435, 2436, 2437); Date: 25 December 2007, 1932 UTC; Site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The navigation satellites were deployed about 3.5 hours after lift-off.

SpaceDev, Inc. announced that it has concluded the first phase of development on its hybrid rocket powered lunar lander prototype, with a successful flight test.

An unknown object has hit NASA’s Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) on 10 November, the Hampton Roads Daily Press reports.