Satellite News

Rocket: Chang Zheng 4C; Payload: Yaogan 27; Date: 27. August 2015, 0231 UTC; Launch site: Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China. The satellite was placed into a 1,200 km x 100 degrees orbit. The launch was not announced in advance by Chinese authorities.

Space Systems/Loral announced that “Sky Muster”(formerly NBN Co 1A), a high performance satellite designed and built for Australia’s new nbn broadband network, has arrived at the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, where it will be launched aboard an Ariane 5. The high capacity broadband satellite will provide service to more than 200,000 Australians.

The two European Galileo navigation satellites for Arianespace’s next mission from French Guiana have been fuelled at the Spaceport, readying them for integration with their Soyuz launcher.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) said the company and the U.S. Air Force have implemented Off-site Vertical Integration (OVI) of several structural elements and the Centaur upper stage for the Atlas V launch vehicle.

Russia is set to develop a new Reusable Space Rocket System, or MRKS in Russian, which is to reduce the cost of launching satellites and other equipment into space. The system, which is being developed under the Federal Space Program, is set to cost no less than RUB12.5 billion (US$185 million).

Rocket: Ariane 5 ECA; Payload: Eutelsat 8 West B, Intelsat 34; Date: 20 August 2015, 2034 UTC; Launch site: Kourou, French Guiana. Arianespace’s workhorse vehicle deployed Eutelsat 8 West B and Intelsat 34 into geostationary transfer orbit, delivering a total payload performance estimated at 9,922 kg – which included the two satellites and Ariane 5’s dual-payload deployment system.

Argentina’s ARSAT-2 telecommunications satellite has landed in French Guiana for Arianespace’s September Ariane 5 mission.

ASTROSAT, India’s first astronomical satellite aimed at studying distant celestial objects, has been transported to the Sriharikota spaceport in Andhra Pradesh for expected launch in September.