Satellite News

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and JAXA announced the launch of the H-IIA Launch Vehicle No. 40 (H-IIA F40) from Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center on 29 October (UTC).

Aerojet Rocketdyne successfully completed its early systems integration test for NASA’s Advanced Electric Propulsion System (AEPS) programme, a next-generation propulsion capability that will further enable deep space missions. Under the AEPS contract, Aerojet Rocketdyne will develop and qualify a 13-kilowatt Hall thruster string.

Gazprom Space Systems (GSS) and Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. have signed a contract with an estimated value of US$18 million, to provide broadband connectivity across Russia. Gilat will deliver its multiservice platform and user terminals to operate over the new Yamal 601 Ka satellite, which will replace Yamal-202.

The RapidEye Constellation of five SSTL-built Earth Observation satellite were launched into a 630km Low Earth Orbit on a Dnepr launch vehicle from Baikonur in Kazakhstan on 29 August 2008.