Satellite News

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has selected Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) as the prime contractor responsible for launch and space transportation services for a newly developed flagship launch vehicle.

The launch of India’s IRNSS 1-B navigation satellite from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on board PSLV C-24 has been scheduled for 1144 UTC on 4 April.

The launch of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V carrying the National Reconnaissance Office (NROL-67) payload has been delayed to no earlier than Wednesday, 26 March.

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and Dream Chaser strategic partner Lockheed Martin announced the expansion of SNC Dream Chaser spacecraft orbital vehicle manufacturing operations.

Rocket: Ariane 5 ECA; Payload: Astra 5B, Amazonas 4A; Date: 22 March 2014, 2204 UTC; Launch site: Kourou, French Guiana. Astra 5B was deployed by Ariane 5 at 27 minutes into the mission, with Amazonas 4A separated from the launcher at 34 minutes after lift-off.

SpaceX has confirmed it will target its next cargo mission launch to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, for 0250 UTC on 31 March.

IXV (Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle), the European Space Agency’s atmospheric re entry demonstrator developed by Thales Alenia Space, has finished development, and is now completing integration at Thales Alenia Space’s clean rooms in Turin.

Airbus Defence and Space has signed a co-operation agreement with Snecma (Safran) for the use of Snecma’s PPS5000 engine in Airbus Defence and Space’s Eurostar satellites, for missions in which electric propulsion is required for positioning manoeuvres.