Satellite News

In-orbit testing of PakSat 1R has begun at 37.8 degrees East on 11 September, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) said.

Rocket: Delta II Heavy 7920H-10; Payload: two Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) spacecraft; Date: 10 September 2011, 1308 UTC; Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, USA. The launch marked the 9th flight for ULA in 2011, the 49th Delta II mission for NASA and the last currently-planned flight from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-17B.
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Production on a major part of China’s Chang Zheng-5 large-thrust carrier rocket has been completed and its maiden voyage is expected to take place during the country’s 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), according to its manufacturer.
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After a final thruster firing last week to deplete its remaining fuel, ESA’s ERS-2 observation satellite has been safely taken out of service. Ground controllers also ensured the space environment was protected for future missions.
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The European Space Agency (ESA) has accepted the first and second Astrium-built Galileo In-Orbit Validation (IOV) satellites as part of their quality acceptance review.
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The launch of a Delta II carrying NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) has been postponed to allow additional time to review propulsion system data from the detanking operation after the launch attempt was scrubbed due to upper level winds.

ATK has conducted a third successful ground test of the next-generation solid rocket motor. The successful test, known as Development Motor (DM-3), is an important milestone in further validating the rocket’s potential use in heavy lift and commercial launch vehicles.

The first Galileo navigation satellite has arrived in Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, ready to begin preparations for launch on 20 October.