Satellite News

China is planning to develop the next-generation Chang Zheng 8 medium-lift carrier rocket and will conduct the first test flight by the end of 2018, Li Tongyu, the head of carrier rocket development at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology was quoted as saying.

Space Systems Loral announced that it provided a two-axis gimbal mechanism for NASA’s Raven flight demonstration, which was delivered to the International Space Station on the 10th SpaceX Cargo Resupply Mission.

Intelsat and OneWeb announced that they have entered into a definitive combination agreement pursuant to which Intelsat and OneWeb will merge in a share-for-share transaction. Intelsat and SoftBank Group Corp. (“SoftBank”) also entered into a definitive share purchase agreement pursuant to which SoftBank will invest US$1.7 billion in newly issued common and preferred shares of the combined company.

Intelsat S.A. announced financial results for the three months and full-year ending 31 December 2016.

Orbcomm Inc. announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ending 31 December 2016.

NSSLGlobal and Telesat announced an expansion in their relationship which sees NSSLGlobal contract a satellite transponder on Telesat’s Telstar 12 VANTAGE satellite at at 15 degrees West.

Europe’s Vega small launcher is set to demonstrate its extended capability to deploy multiple light satellites using its new versatile Small Satellites Mission Service (SSMS) dispenser, in the second half of 2018.

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. and DigitalGlobe, Inc announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement, pursuant to which MDA will acquire DigitalGlobe for US$35.00 per share in a combination of cash and stock.