Satellite News

Arianespace has renewed the contracts with Telespazio for the maintenance of ground systems and launch services at the space base in Kourou (French Guyana) until 2019.

Orbital ATK, Inc. announced it recently signed a contract with Space Systems/Loral (SSL) to produce flight sets consisting of two propellant tanks for the SSL 1300 platform. The five-year contract continues a 27-year relationship with SSL for satellite fuel tanks produced by Orbital ATK’s Space Components Division in Commerce, California.

Thales Alenia Space, prime contractor for the Iridium NEXT constellation, said it reached a major milestone in this programme with the successful completion of thermal-vacuum tests of the protoflight satellite at its plant in Cannes. This is the last milestone leading up to the qualification of Iridium NEXT satellites, expected in December 2015.

NASA tested components for an engine that could be used for Mars landers powered with methane, a fuel that has never before propelled a NASA spacecraft.

Intelsat S.A. reported third quarter 2015 results.

Telesat Holdings Inc. announced its financial results for the three month period ending 30 September 2015.

Iridium Communications Inc. reported financial results for the third quarter of 2015.

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. reported financial results for the third quarter ending 30 September 2015.