Satellite News

On 25 March, ESA and CNES, the French Space Agency, signed a EUR435 million contract assuring the availability of the CSG launch range for ESA programmes and activities and for the exploitation of Ariane, Vega and Soyuz launchers over the period 2009 to 2013.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. said the the first captive firing test of the First Stage Flight Model Tank for the H-IIB Launch Vehicle, scheduled for 27 March 2009 at the Tanegashima Space Center, was postponed.

At Baikonur, an integrated team of personnel from Khrunichev and Roskosmos successfully completed operations on assembly of the Proton Briz M rocket with the W2A spacecraft. Also, preparations have begun for the Proton M Launch of ProtoStar II.

Following testing in orbit, Eutelsat’s Hotbird 10 is scheduled by the end of March to commence more than 15 years of service at 7 degrees West in geostationary orbit.

The Indian Space Research Organisation said that the Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT) expected to be launched by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle from Sriharikota next month, is not an Israeli one. But what about its payload?

Almost a year ago, Russia denied that its Kosmos 2421 spy satellite was falling apart. Now officials said they were monitoring about 30 pieces of debris that broke away to ensure they don’t jeopardise the International Space Station and its crew.

The World Teleport Association (WTA) announced the recipients of its 14th annual Teleport Awards for Excellence. The awards are presented each year to organisations and individuals whose achievements have been deemed exceptional by the international trade association and its awards committees, made up of industry members from across the globe.

After years of what may from the outside have looked like a silent “gentlemen’s agreement” between launch service providers, competition seems to be increasing. Things are complicated by China’s possible comeback as a commercial launch provider for some Western satellites.