Satellite News

Rocket: Ariane 5 ECA; Payload: Horizons 3e, Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 [IS 38]; Date: 25 September 2018, 2239 UTC; Launch site: Kourou, French Guiana. Horizons 3e separated from the upper stage 28 minutes after lift-off, followed by Azerspace-2/IS 38 about 14 minutes later.

Rocket: H-IIB; Payload: H-II Transfer Vehicle “KOUNOTORI7” (HTV7); Date: 22 September 2018, 1752 UTC; Launch site: Tanegashima Space Center, Japan. A little more than 15 minutes after launch, the unpiloted HTV-7 cargo spacecraft successfully separated from the rocket and began its four-and-a-half day approach to the International Space Station.

Arianespace’s upcoming mission from the Spaceport in French Guiana – which will mark the heavy-lift Ariane 5’s 100th launch – has been cleared for lift-off next week with a dual-satellite payload.

Northrop Grumman Corporation recently conducted its first ground test of a 160-cm diameter Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM 63) in Promontory, Utah. Utilising advanced technologies, the company developed this new rocket motor for use on the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V launch vehicle.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) have postponed the launch of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 7 (H-IIB F7) which carries aboard the H-II Transfer Vehicle “KOUNOTORI7” (HTV7).

Arianespace has been selected by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute to launch KOMPSAT-7. Using a Vega C launcher, the mission will be conducted from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, from December 2021.

US orbital launch provider Rocket Lab has signed a contract with Luxembourg-based satellite technology company Kleos Space to launch the scouting mission satellites that will geolocate maritime radio to guard borders, protect assets and save lives.

Rocket: Chang Zheng 3b/ZY-1; Payload: Beidou-3M13, Beidou-3M14 [Beidou-37, Beidou-38]; Date: 19 September 2018, 1407 UTC; Launch site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China. The satellites were successfully deployed approx. four hours after lift-off.