Satellite News

Rocket: Epsilon-2; Payload: Exploration of energisation and Radiation in Geospace (ERG) “ARASE”; Date: 20 December 2016, 1100 UTC; Launch site: Uchinoura Space Center, Japan. The launch vehicle flew as planned, and at approximately 13 minutes and 27 seconds after lift-off, the separation of ERG was confirmed.

The 11th Arianespace mission of 2016 has been given the go-ahead for lift-off from the Spaceport in French Guiana on 21 December, carrying the Star One D1 and JCSAT-15 satellites for deployment into geostationary transfer orbit.

Lockheed Martin has completed assembly of NOAA’s GOES-S weather satellite and is now beginning critical mechanical and environmental testing of the spacecraft.

The James Webb Space Telescope is undergoing testing to make sure the spacecraft withstands the harsh conditions of launch, and to find and remedy all possible concerns before it is launched from French Guiana in 2018.

Inmarsat has successfully completed the first flight trials for Iris Precursor, a ground-breaking project to enhance and modernise air traffic management over European airspace.