Satellite News

Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio announced that they have completed their merger — or, rather: the acquisition of XM by Sirius. XM is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sirius, which plans to change its corporate name to Sirius XM Radio Inc. (sans “satellite”).

Northrop Grumman Corporation reported financial results for the second quarter 2008.

COM DEV International Ltd. said that contract modifications to an existing civil space programme will provide the company with C$27 million (EUR17 million, US$26 million) of incremental revenue.

MacDonald Dettwiler announced that it has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract from DigitalGlobe Inc.

ESA announced an opportunity to embark payloads on the second flight of the Vega small launcher planned for mid 2010. This will be the first of five flights that are planned to demonstrate Vega’s versatility.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) announced that the third flight of its Falcon 1 rocket is scheduled between 1 and 5 August.

The fifth Ariane 5 of 2008 is now under Arianespace’s responsibility for payload integration and launch following its delivery by industrial prime contractor Astrium at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.’s US$3.3 billion purchase of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc was formally approved with conditions by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission Friday night.