Satellite News

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has selected L3Harris Technologies to provide the latest Universal Space Transponder (UST) for the Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme, which is developing capabilities to return Martian samples to Earth for detailed analysis.

NorthStar Earth & Space (NorthStar) has received approval in principle from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) authorising NorthStar to use all of the company’s requested radio frequency spectrum allocation for its planned 52-satellite constellation that will deliver a suite of information services related to Earth and space sustainability.

Xplore Inc., a commercial space company providing Space as a Service has announced a follow on contract with the U.S. Air Force, (USAF) to continue developing their positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) solution as a commercial service for cislunar space.

Maxar Technologies announced it received an order to build another geostationary communications satellite for longtime customer SiriusXM, following the SXM-9 satellite order that was announced earlier this month.

Spaceflight Inc. announced it achieved 100% mission success for both its primary and secondary missions for SXRS-5, including the commissioning and successful firing of Astra’s Apollo Fusion electric propulsion system to enable orbital transfers.

Gilmour Space Technologies, an Australian rocket company pioneering hybrid propulsion technologies for launching small satellites, and Exolaunch announced a series of agreements for small satellite launch, deployment and in-space transportation services.

Rocket: Chang Zheng 3B: Payload: Tongxin Jishu Shiyan Weixing (TJSW-7); Date: 24 August 2021, 1541 UTC; Launch site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China. The spacecraft was likely deployed into geostationary transfer orbit.

Rocket: Chang Zheng 3C/Yuanzheng-1; Payload: three experimental satellites; Date: 24 August 2021, 1115 UTC; Launch site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China. The spacecraft were deployed into approx. 1,083 km x 1,110 km x 86.40 degrees orbit.