Satellite News

India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, in its thirty-seventh flight (PSLV-C35), will launch the 377 kg SCATSAT-1 for ocean and weather related studies and seven co-passenger satellites into polar Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). Co-passenger satellites are from Algeria, Canada and USA as well as two satellites from Indian Universities/Academic Institute.

Pre-flight activities for Arianespace’s upcoming Ariane 5 mission are ramping up at the Spaceport in French Guiana, with launcher and payload preparations advancing in parallel for lift-off on 4 October (UTC).

Orbital ATK is targeting a five-day launch window of 10-14 October 2016 (UTC) for the Antares OA-5 launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops Island, Virginia. A more specific date will be identified upon completion of final operational milestones and technical reviews.

Russia’s Center for Operation of Space Ground-Based Infrastructure (TsENKI) and Roskosmos state corporation have concluded three contracts worth some RUB1.8 billion (US$28 million) to modernise the Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan.

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and Solar Junction Corporation (Solar Junction) are launching a new technology that will increase the efficiency of spacecraft solar array production and operation and lower the overall cost, the companies said.