Satellite News

Rocket: Chang Zheng 2D; Payload: Yaogan Weixing-30 (Yaogan 30, YG-30); Date: 15 May 2016, 0243 UTC; Launch site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China. The satellite has been tracked in a 628 km x 656 km x 98.1 degrees orbit.

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy will launch the NROL-37 mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) on 4 June between 1800 and 2300 UTC.

The launch of GLONASS-M satellite No. 53 from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in north Russia aboard a a Soyuz-2.1b has been rescheduled from 21 to 29 May, Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems CEO Nikolay Testoyedov said.

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne achieved a major milestone under the Hydrocarbon Boost programme, which is advancing U.S. rocket engine technologies in support of next generation launch. The Hydrocarbon Boost (HCB) programme completed full power, full duration tests of the oxygen-rich staged combustion (ORSC) sub-scale preburner. Testing was conducted at the historic rocket Test Stand 2A at Edwards Air Force Base.

The ultra-black Vantablack surface coating material has made its space debut in an optical instrument on board the Kent Ridge 1 satellite. The material’s ability to absorb virtually all incident light improves the performance of the satellite’s star tracker-based positioning control system.