Satellite News

Khrunichev Space Center said it continues its preparations to launch the Eutelsat 5 West B and MEV-1 spacecraft using a Proton M rocket equipped with a Briz M upper stage.

The Hubble Space Telescope’s Wide Field Camera 3 was brought back to full operational status and completed its first science observations on 17 January. The instrument autonomously shut down on 8 January after internal data erroneously indicated invalid voltage levels.

Specialists will try once again to regain control over Spektr-R radio telescope on 21 January when the distance to the spacecraft will be minimal, said Alexander Bloshenko, science advisor to Roskosmos chief Rogozin.

A new date has been set for the launch of a Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-71 mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

Iran will be ready for a new satellite launch in a few months’ time after a failed attempt this week, President Hassan Rouhani said.

Boeing announced its investment in Isotropic Systems Ltd., a London-based startup pioneering next-generation solutions to better connect people and enterprises around the globe.

Aireon LLC announced it has signed a credit facility agreement for US$200 million with a group of several independent investor funds, led by Deutsche Bank.

Iridium Communications Inc. announced the commercial launch of its Iridium Certus broadband service, the first new capability activated from the company’s US$3 billion Iridium NEXT satellite replacement programme.