Satellite News

O3b Networks Limited has signed a contract with Arianespace for a fourth Soyuz launch to support the expansion of the O3b Networks’ satellite constellation.

Europe’s latest two Galileo navigation satellites have been mated with the Soyuz launcher’s Fregat upper stage, marking another milestone in preparations for Arianespace’s 17 December lift-off from French Guiana.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) confirmed that the Asteroid Explorer “Hayabusa2” is cruising on its target orbit after measuring and calculating the post-Earth-swing-by orbit.

Rocket: Proton M/Briz M; Payload: Garpun 12L (Kosmos 2513); Date: 13 December 2015, 0017 UTC; Launch site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The rocket successfully placed the Russian military communications satellite into geosynchronous orbit.

The Elektro-L2 weather satellite separated from the Zenit rocket’s upper stage as planned approximately nine hours after lift-off.

Rocket: Zenit 3 SLBF/Fregat SB; Payload: Elektro-L2; Date: 11 December 2015, 1345 UTC, Launch site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Separation of the Elektro-L 2 weather satellite from the Fregat upper stage is scheduled for 2243 UTC [too late for this issue].

India will be launching six Singaporean satellites with a total mass of of around 625 kg on 16 December through its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) decided to launch the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 30 (H-IIA F30) with the X-ray Astronomy Satellite “ASTRO-H” onboard on 12 February.