Satellite News

The Pentagon’s decision to prohibit the use of Russia’s commercial space launch services may affect European companies that use U.S.-made parts and components in their satellites, the chief of Russia’s space corporation Roskosmos, Dmitry Rogozin was quoted as saying.

Thales Alenia Space and Gazprom Space Systems announced that the Yamal-601 satellite started its transition to the geostationary orbit after an initial problem.

More than 40 satellite missions will be launched at once by Europe’s Vega launcher this autumn, thanks to a modular “Lego-style” dispenser resting on its upper stage.

Virgin Orbit announced that it has signed an agreement with ANA Holdings, parent company of All Nippon Airways (ANA), to bring the company’s LauncherOne service to Japan.

Rocket: Chang Zheng 11; Payload: Bufeng-1A, Bufeng-1B, five smallsats; Date: 5 June 2019, 0406 UTC; Launch site: floating platform in the Yellow Sea at 34.90 deg. N, 121.19 deg. E. The two technology experiment satellites and five commercial satellites were successfully launched.

The two satellite passengers for Arianespace’s upcoming Ariane 5 flight – AT&T T-16 [DirecTV 16] and Eutelsat 7C – are advancing through their payload preparation phases during parallel activity at the Spaceport in French Guiana.

ESA said it is working with industry towards the maiden flight of Europe’s new Vega-C launch vehicle in 2020 for more launches, with increased performance, to more orbits.

Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. has launched a Space & Sensing Systems division at its Cypress, CA headquarters. The new division will sell satellite on-board equipment, including solar array panels, lithium-ion batteries, and RF equipment.