Satellite News

Chinese scientists have conducted experiments on pulsar navigation with an X-ray space telescope, and the technology could be used in future deep space exploration and interplanetary or interstellar travel.

Russian space agency Roskosmos has patented a new protective shield for protecting satellites from the high-speed impact of space debris, according to the database of the Federal Service for Intellectual Property (Rospatent).

Rocket: Soyuz 2.1-a; Payload: Soyuz MS-14; Date: 22 August 2019, 0338 UTC; Launch site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz MS-14 spacecraft was accurately placed on the target orbit for another mission to the International Space Station. This was the twelfth Soyuz family mission in 2019.

Rocket: Delta IV; Payload: GPS III SV02; Date: 22 August 2019, 1306 UTC; Launch site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, USA. Two hours after lift-off, the satellite separated from the upper stage.

A new generation radio-frequency (RF) Power Processing Unit (PPU) for the VASIMR engine, built by Aethera Technologies Ltd. of Canada, has completed a series of full power acceptance tests at Ad Astra Rocket company’s Texas facility near Houston.

As the U.S. Air Force prepares to launch its second next-generation GPS III satellite, L3Harris Technologies delivered its eighth navigation payload to GPS III satellite prime contractor Lockheed Martin.

Rocket: Chang Zheng 3B/E; Payload: Chinasat-18 ( Zhongxing-18); Date: 19 August 2019, 1203 UTC; Launch site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China. The satellite appears to have been placed into geostationary transfer orbit as planned but has since suffered an anomaly.

The Lockheed Martin GPS III SV02 is set to launch on 22 August aboard an United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket. The launch window opens at 1300 UTC and will remain open for 27 minutes.