Satellite News

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The fifth Soyuz to be launched from French Guiana is now complete following the integration of its upper composite consisting of four O3b Networks satellites, their protective payload fairing and the Fregat upper stage.

ESA has extended the productive lives of 10 of its operating space science missions. This decision secures funding for ESA’s science missions until at least the end of 2014, and provides a framework for planning until end of 2016.

European Space Propulsion, an Aerojet Rocketdyne company, announced that it has signed a contract with Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) for the delivery of 19 MR-103 thrusters for the FORMOSAT-7 programme.

Alphasat, the most sophisticated commercial communications satellite ever built, has left Astrium’s facilities in Toulouse after completion of its final integration and test campaign and is now en route to Kourou, French Guyana, to be prepared for its launch aboard an Ariane 5, scheduled for the end of July.

Thales Alenia Space has signed the contract for the development of ExoMars. Following a preliminary contract signed in 2008, this marks a major milestone for Thales Alenia Space, programme prime contractor.

ESA’s fourth Automated Transfer Vehicle, Albert Einstein, completed a flawless rendezvous with the International Space Station on 15 June when it docked smoothly with orbital outpost at 1407 UTC. The ATV is now connected to the Space Station.

With the exhaustion of its helium coolant, Herschel’s science mission ended on 29 April. But the satellite continued providing value to the end, serving as an orbiting testbed for control techniques that can’t normally be tested in flight.