Satellite News

Rocket: Chang Zheng 4C; Payload: Yaogan 25; Date: 10 December 2014, 1933 UTC; Launch site: Jiuquan satellite launch centre, China. State media said the launch was successful.

The fifth SpaceX cargo mission to the International Space Station (ISS) under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract now is scheduled to launch no earlier than 1820 UTC on 19 December from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.

O3b Networks’ four-satellite payload for Arianespace’s next Soyuz flight has been integrated on the launcher’s Fregat upper stage, marking another milestone at the Spaceport in preparations for the mission from Sinnamary, French Guiana on 18 December. Lift-off is scheduled for 1837 UTC.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) has signed a contract with Orbital Sciences Corporation (Orbital) to launch up to two cargo missions to the International Space Station (ISS) under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) programme.

Russia plans to conduct seven launches, six of them from Baikonur, during the period from December 2014 until February 2015, a source in the space industry was quoted as saying by Novosti news agency.

Airbus Defence and Space has signed a production contract with ELV (European Launch Vehicle, an AVIO and ASI Company), the industrial prime contractor for the European Vega launcher, to provide electronic components, including inertial navigation systems and backup units.

Spaceflight Inc. announced it has signed NovaWurks, Inc., to a launch services agreement for the eXCITe spacecraft, which NovaWurks is developing as part of the Phoenix programme for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

Orbital Sciences Corporation announced new details in its plans to resume cargo flights to the International Space Station (ISS) and to accelerate the introduction of an upgraded Antares launch vehicle. These plans are expected to allow Orbital to accomplish all remaining cargo deliveries under its current Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract with NASA by the end of 2016 and with no cost increase to the space agency.