Satellite News

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) launched aboard a Japanese H-IIA rocket from Tanegashima Space Center on Tanegashima Island in southern Japan. The GPM spacecraft separated from the rocket 16 minutes after launch, at an altitude of 398 kilometers. The solar arrays deployed 10 minutes after spacecraft separation, to power the spacecraft.

NASA’s aerospace industry partners continue to meet milestones under agreements with the agency’s Commercial Crew Program (CCP), as they move forward in their development of spacecraft and rockets that will transport humans to destinations in low-Earth orbit.

Rocket: H-IIA; Payload: Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory, plus seven small secondary satellites; Date: 27 February 2014, 1837 UTC; Launch site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan. GPM was successfully deployed into its target orbit and has meanwhile unfolded its solar arrays.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said it is making final preparations towards the development of a new flagship launch vehicle from Japan Fiscal Year (JFY) 2014.

RUAG Space has been awarded a framework contract by French satellite manufacturer Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse to supply positioning mechanisms for the electric propulsion systems of telecommunications satellites built on the EUROSTAR 3000 platform. The first two mechanisms are due to be delivered shortly, with further deliveries currently scheduled up to 2016.

Airbus Group reported financial results for the year 2013, in which the group was still known under its previous name EADS.

Iridium Communications Inc. reported financial results for the fourth quarter and the year 2013.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have set the launch time and launch window for the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 23 (H-IIA F23) with the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) core observatory onboard.