Satellite News

Rocket: Chang Zheng 3B/E; Payload: NigComSat-1R; Date: 19 December 2011, 1641 UTC; Launch Site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China. The satellite was put into a 200 km x 41,991 km x 24.8 degrees supersynchronous transfer orbit.Other Posts:SERVIS-2 fit check with Rokot adapter system successfully performedBASIC in effect cancelled, TSAT still under reviewChina sets new record with latest Beidou launchRising Prices on Nearly Everything Lead Subscribers to Satellite TVGOES-O pre-launch detailsStardust delivers valuable fuel data prior to shutdownAlcatel-Lucent merger clears last hurdleSpaceX searches for new commercial launch site

The launch of the U.S. Air Force’s fourth Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft moved another step closer. Engineers completed the encapsulation procedure at the Astrotech Space Operations facility in Titusville, Florida, on 15 December.Other Posts:Ariane 5 launches satellites for Japan, USAHYLAS 1 to live longer than expected thanks to precise launchLoral Skynet Brings Satellite Services To Remote British IslandQuake Satellite Modems To Be Standard Equipment On Volvo TrucksUpdate: Russian launch manifest for 2009Andrew completes sale of satcom businessEADS (Astrium) results 2009Google TV – Coming Soon to a Living Room Near You

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has completed testing of TechDemoSat-1′s engineering model of the first payload, a novel charged particle spectrometer design.Other Posts:India’s indigenous cryogenic stage successfully qualifiedChinese company uses Telstar 18 to serve NATO in AfghanistanRussia announces plans for new cosmodromeUpgrades of Globalstar ground stations has startedTelenor Satellite Services receives contract modificationCapRock Finalizes Acquisition of ArrowheadHow the Baseball Season Stacks Up on Satellite TVThe Benefits of Experiencing All TV in HDTV

Astrium said it completes the acquisition of Vizada after receiving the necessary regulatory approvals. Vizada is an independent provider of global satellite communications services and will be integrated into Astrium Services. This acquisition represents a total consideration of EUR673 million.Other Posts:Hayabusa on track for landing in two weeksXM-5 pre-launch detailsGlobalstar, Inc. results Q2 2009Abertis may plan Hispasat bid to prevent IPO, Eutelsat takeoverCable TV 101 – Sticking With One ProviderAt&t U-verse TV – Honest ReviewEU Parliament ‘concerned’ about GalileoDelay of the day: TacSat-3 (again)

Rocket: Soyuz STA/Fregat; Payload; Pleiades 1A, SSOT, four ELISA satellites; Date: 17 December 2011, 0203 UTC; Launch site: Sinnamary, French Guiana. Pleiades 1 was deployed 55 minutes after lift-off, followed four minutes later by the ELISA satellites. Separation of SSOT occurred 3 hours, 26 minutes after lift-off.

Arianespace’s second Soyuz mission from French Guiana has been given the launch go-ahead, moving preparations into their final phase for lift-off with six satellite passengers.

The launch of ESA’s IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle on Europe’s new Vega rocket is now in detailed planning, a major step towards the craft’s flight in 2014.

The U.S. Air Force said its first Advanced Extremely High Frequency military communications satellite is successfully progressing through the initial phases of on-orbit testing.