Satellite News

Rocket: Ariane 5 ES; Payload: Jules Verne ATV; Date: 9 March 2008, 0403 UTC; Site: Kourou, French Guiana. The launcher put the Automated Transfer Vehicle successfully into its target orbit. Engineers are meanwhile assessing a problem with the ATV’s onboard propulsion electronics.

An electronics box on Europe’s first cargo ship shut down a propulsion system command chain responsible for a quarter of the space-age delivery truck’s maneuvering thrusters, officials said Sunday.

A first-of-a-kind robotic space transporter with a futuristic autopilot control system journeyed into orbit early Sunday, embarking on a mission to track down the international space station using the most advanced space technology ever developed in Europe.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) based state-owned satellite communications company Yahsat has signed a US$110 million contract to lease transponders to satellite communications provider Emerging Markets Communications (EMC).

COM DEV International Ltd. announced its first quarter financial results for the three-month period ending 31 January 2008.

SpaceDev, Inc. announced that it was awarded a design and development subcontract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate, for development of cost effective deployable reflectors for satellites.

ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain and European Commission Director General for Enterprise & Industry Heinz Zourek have signed an agreement which establishes the allocation of an EC budget of EUR624 million (US$957 million) to ESA as a contribution to the implementation of the GMES Space Component (GSC).

Manufacturer Lockheed Martin has finally shipped Vietnam’s first telecommunication satellite, Vinasat. It will arrive at its launch site in French Guyana on 8 March, according to VietNamNet.