Satellite News

Rocket: Chang Zheng 11; Payload: five Zhuhai-1 satellites; Date: 26 April 2018, 0442 UTC; Launch site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China.

NASA’s next mission to Mars, Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight), is scheduled to launch Saturday, 5 May (UTC) on a first-ever mission to study the heart of Mars.

A post-test inspection of the composite structure for a heat shield to be used on the Mars 2020 mission revealed that a fracture occurred during structural testing. The mission team is working to build a replacement heat shield structure. The situation will not affect the mission’s launch readiness date of 17 July 2020.

Airbus SE reported first quarter 2018 consolidated financial results.

SES S.A. announced financial results for the three months ending 31 March 2018.

Arianespace and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a frame contract defining procedures for the procurement of launch services by ESA, especially for its own missions.

French space agency CNES has chosen the Space Alliance, formed by Telespazio (Leonardo 67%, Thales 33%) and Thales Alenia Space (Thales 67%, Leonardo 33%), to extend the fibre-optic communications system (STFO) at the Guiana Space Center (CSG), Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, to include the new launch complex under construction for Ariane 6 (ELA4).

Iridium Communications Inc. announced that all five Iridium NEXT satellites for its sixth launch are in processing at SpaceX’s west coast launch site, Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.