Satellite News

Rocket: Chang Zheng 11; Payload: Tianwang-1A (SECM-1), Tianwang-1B (NJUST-2), Tianwang-1C (NJFA-1), Pujian-1; Date: 25 September 2015, 0121 UTC; Launch site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China.

The liquid upper stage for a November flight utilising Arianespace’s lightweight Vega vehicle has been delivered to French Guiana, supporting the company’s sustained mission pace in 2015 with its complete launcher family at the Spaceport.

Europe’s latest pair of Galileo satellites has passed its initial check out in space, allowing control to be handed over to the main control centre and join the growing fleet.

The launch of Sentinel-5 Precursor is planned for next spring so the satellite is being put through its paces to make sure it is fit for lift-off and life in orbit tracking air pollution. Vibration and acoustic tests are next up.

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc. will pay Orbital ATK US$50 million to settle a dispute stemming from the Antares rocket launch accident last year.

Intelsat S.A. announced that Sentech, a broadcasting signal distributor in Africa, has extended its contract for multiple years.

ESA celebrated the 40th anniversary of the agency’s ground station network, Estrack. It has stations on three continents, all remotely operated from the European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany.

“SpaceX’s upgraded Falcon 9 booster powered up to full throttle in a brief ignition at the company’s Central Texas test site this week as engineers prepare for the rocket’s return to flight as soon as mid-November with a European communications satellite. The November launch from Cape Canaveral, which will haul up the SES 9 television broadcasting platform, will also be the debut mission for the latest version of the Falcon 9 rocket with higher throttle settings, condensed fuel and structural modifications.” (Spaceflight Now)