Satellite News

Rocket: Delta IV; Payload: NROL-47; Date: 12 January 2018, 2211 UTC; Launch site: Vandenberg Air Force Base, USA. The rocket lifted off successfully after several delays. Owing to a news blackout the outcome of the launch was not immediately known.

Rocket: PSLV-C40; Payload: Cartosat-2F, plus 4 microsatellites and 26 nanosatellites; Date: 12 January 2018, 0359 UTC; Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, India. The successfully launched the 710 kg Cartosat-2 series satellite for Earth observation and its 30 co-passenger satellites with a combined lift-off mass of about 613 kg.

International Space company (ISC) Kosmotras and Planet have signed an agreement to launch 12 Dove-series satellites, says a statement published on the website of GK Launch Services, a company established by Glavkosmos (a subsidiary of Russia’s Roskosmos State Space Corporation) and Kosmotras.

The GovSat-1 spacecraft has arrived at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. GovSat-1 is the first satellite of GovSat, which is a brand operated by a joint venture between the Government of Luxembourg and the world-leading satellite operator SES. It is scheduled for launch at the end of this month on board a SpaceX flight-proven Falcon 9 rocket.

On 11 January 2018, CGWIC and Royal Group of Cambodia signed a Framework Agreement of TECHO 1 Communications Satellite Project. As a prime contractor of the project, CGWIC will deliver a communications satellite to Cambodian user in the form of satellite In Orbit Delivery.

Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) director, Dr K Sivan, is set to take charge as the new chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on 12 January.

The U.S. Air Force’s Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit Flight-4 (SBIRS GEO-4) satellite has completed encapsulation at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

Rocket: Chang Zheng 2D; Payload: SuperView 1-03, SuperView 1-04 [Gaojing-1-03, Gaojing-1-04]; Date: 9 January 2018, 0324 UTC; Launch site: Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China. Officials declared the launch a success.