Satellite News

Another Ariane 5 has completed its initial build-up at the Spaceport in French Guiana, marking a major milestone in preparations for Arianespace’s third heavy-lift mission of 2015 – which will orbit the European MSG-4 meteorological satellite and Brazilian Star One C4 telecommunications relay platform during July.

The Indian cabinet gave its approval for the continuation of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) programme for 15 operational flights (PSLV-C36 to PSLV-C50).

The launch area the Plesetsk cosmodrome is being refurbished with the purpose of guaranteed reliable and safe launches of defence satellites, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Japan’s unmanned cargo spacecraft HTV “Kounotori”, which delivers supplies to the International Space Station (ISS), may be redesigned to save cost and for multipurpose use.

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Geospace Science and Technology Branch, received U.S. patent (#8976245) for the Optical Orbital Debris Spotter – a compact, low power, low cost, local space debris detection concept that can be integrated into larger satellite designs, or flown independently on-board nano-satellite platforms.