Satellite News

Rocket: PSLV; Payload: Chandrayaan-1; Date: 22 October, 0052 UTC; Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India. The Indian Space Research Organisation’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C11, successfully launched the 1,380 kg Chandrayaan-1 moon probe into a 255 km x 22,860 km x 17.9 degrees transfer orbit.

Arianespace and Thales Alenia Space announced the signature of a launch contract for the pan-African communications satellite, Rascom-QAF 1R. In addition, tentative dates have been set for the next two Ariane 5 flights.

During last weekend ESA lost contact with its XMM-Newton X-ray observatory. However, a feeble radio signal has been heard, and ground-based observations confirm that the spacecraft is intact. XMM-Newton has operated faultlessly in orbit for almost nine years, close to its design life-time.

Lockheed Martin has delivered the latest block of flight software for the first geosynchronous orbit (GEO-1) spacecraft in the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) programme.

Harris Corporation has been awarded a US$60 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to continue work under the first-year option for the Network and Space Operations and Maintenance (NSOM) programme.

ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited (ICO) was awarded at least US$371 million in its litigation with The Boeing Company and Boeing Satellite Systems International (Boeing and BSSI).

WorldSpace, Inc. has received approval of the United States Bankruptcy Court in Delaware for the first part of an interim Debtor-in-Possession (DIP) financing in an amount up to US$2 million which will enable the company to meet payroll obligations to critical employees and commence a process to sell the company or its assets.

The Boeing Company reported financial results for the third quarter 2008.