Satellite News

Rocket: Delta IV; Payload: WGS-6; Date: 8 August 2013, 0029 UTC; Launch site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, USA. The military communications satellite was successfully placed into geostationary transfer orbit. Approximately 57 minutes after lift-off, controllers confirmed the satellite was functioning as expected.

O3b Networks satellites for Arianespace’s next launch are now in French Guiana as the pace accelerates for this Soyuz mission from the Spaceport, which is targeted for late September.

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) will provide the launch services for Germany’s second-generation radar reconnaissance satellite system. The satellites, provided by OHB System AG and Astrium GmbH, will replace the current constellation and will be delivered to orbit by two Falcon 9 rockets in 2018 and 2019.

Spaceflight Inc. said it recently completed a system definition review for its SHERPA in-space tug and hosted payload platform. With this milestone, Spaceflight has announced hosted payload opportunities starting in 2015.

COM DEV International Ltd. announced that it has been awarded an Authorisation to Proceed (ATP) contract to deliver Ku-band multiplexers, switches and microwave components.

Orbital Sciences Corporation announced it has been selected by NASA to host a scientific payload that will improve spacecraft fire safety for future space exploration vehicles. Known as the Spacecraft Fire Experiment (Saffire), the payload will be hosted aboard Orbital’s Cygnus advanced manoeuvring spacecraft and is planned for flight by mid-2015.

Academician M.F. Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems and Thales Alenia Space have created a joint venture that will focus mainly on the development and manufacture of satellite payload components.

Space Systems/Loral (SSL) announced progress on a new Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVC), which will increase the company’s production capacity and improve testing efficiency for satellite operators who need to meet aggressive procurement schedules.