Satellite News

OHB System AG has awarded to SENER a new contract related to the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) mission. This contract is to be added to two other contracts awarded last month by Kayser Threde for the supply of two critical subsystem elements: the scanning mechanisms and the calibration and obturation mechanisms.

Astrium has been awarded a study contract by the French space agency CNES. The study will analyse existing concepts and technologies and determine which can be used to successfully tackle large items of space debris, such as launcher stages and end of life satellites.

Anik G1 satellite is successfully performing post-launch manoeuvres according to plan. The satellite deployed its solar arrays on schedule following its launch aboard a Proton Briz M launch vehicle provided by International Launch Services (ILS) from the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan.

The Eutelsat 3D satellite of Eutelsat Communications arrived on 13 April at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and is now undergoing final preparations for launch by a Proton Briz M rocket supplied by ILS. Lift-off is planned on 14 May from 16.02 UTC with spacecraft separation scheduled to occur after a nine hour 13 minute flight.

ESA’s Proba 3 project aims to demonstrate that two satellites can move as one single object with sub-millimetre precision. This configuration will enable the creation of enormous space telescopes with the lens and detector hundreds of metres apart.

This summer, Lockheed Martin-developed GPS satellites already in orbit will participate in testing of a new modernised civilian navigation message (CNAV) capability which will further enhance GPS navigation service to global users.

An infrared sensor that could improve NASA’s future detecting and tracking of asteroids and comets has passed a critical design test.

DMC International Imaging (DMCii) has signed an agreement with Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) that will increase the volume of imagery acquired and the speed in which it can be delivered. The new facilities in Svalbard have allowed DMCii to receive 30% more data from day one, with the scope for significant further expansion in the future.