Satellite News

Rocket: Chang Zheng 4B; Payload: Haiyang-2C (HY-2C); Date: 21 September 2020, 0540 UTC; Launch site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China. The satellite was deployed into a 931 km x 948 km x 66.00 degrees orbit.

The launch of a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-44 mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office is now planned for 26 September 2020.

Pursuant to an amended launch contract with OneWeb, Arianespace will perform 16 more Soyuz launches from three spaceports (Kourou, Baikonur and Vostochny) beginning in late 2020 and continuing through 2022. These launches will enable OneWeb to complete the deployment of its full global constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites by the end of 2022.

Guangzhou-based company Guoyao Tech announced a roadmap to complete a prototype launch of 10 kg by 2022 and short-range tonnage launch by 2023 using a novel launch system – based on electromagnetic technology that could essentially bring satellites and humans into space.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected Airbus to develop and build the Copernicus polar ice and snow topography mission (CRISTAL). With two satellites, the CRISTAL mission will ensure the long-term continuation of radar altimetry ice elevation and change records. It is one of six new missions to expand the current capabilities of the Copernicus space component. The contract is worth EUR300 million.

China’s Mars probe Tianwen-1 has successfully carried out its second orbital correction, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine will discuss the agency’s Artemis moon program during a news conference today (Sept. 21) at 5 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT). Watch live here.

Saturn’s geyser-spewing moon Enceladus may be even more active than scientists had thought.