Satellite News

Rocket: Atlas V; Payload: GPS IIF-4; Date: 15 May 2013, 2138 UTC; Launch site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, USA. Payload separation was to occur 3 hours, 32 minutes after lift-off [too late for this issue].

International Launch Services (ILS) successfully placed the Eutelsat 3D satellite into Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) for Eutelsat Communications of Paris, France. The satellite was released 9 hours and 13 minutes after a standard five-burn Briz M mission. Also, Eutelsat signed a new launch contract with ILS.

Arianespace marked one of the final steps in preparations for the next Ariane 5 launch as Europe’s latest Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) was integrated atop the heavy-lift workhorse at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

Astrium has been awarded a contract by the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) to build the EkspressAMU1/Eutelsat 36C satellite that will provide follow-on and expansion capacity for the Eutelsat 36A broadcast satellite operating at 36 degrees East.

The first full operational capability (FOC) satellite assembled by OHB System AG for the future European navigation system Galileo have left the integration hall in Bremen. Shipment had been preceded by the successful completion of integration and system testing.

The OHB Group reported financial results for the first quarter of 2013.