Satellite News

Aerojet Rocketdyne and United Launch Alliance (ULA) announced that they have signed a contract for a joint investment to complete technical feasibility analysis, detailed programme plans, technology integration, affordable production processes and plans, mission assurance and related criteria.

NASA and Lockheed Martin have finished fuelling the Orion spacecraft with ammonia, hydrazine and high pressure helium at Kennedy Space Center’s Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility. Orion has now been moved to the Launch Abort System Facility for integration with the launch abort system (LAS).

Rocket: Proton M/Briz M; Payload: Luch (Olimp-K?); Date: 27 September 2014, 2023 UTC; Launch site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The (rather mysterious) satellite was reportedly delivered directly to geosynchronous orbit.

Rocket: Chang Zheng 2C; Payload: Shijian 11-07; Date: 28 September 2014, 0513 UTC; Launch site: Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China. The launch was declared a success.

Rocket: Soyuz-FG; Payload: Soyuz TMA-14M; Date: 25 September 2014, 2025 UTC; Launch site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The Soyuz TMA-14M manned transport spacecraft was accurately placed on the target orbit and docked with the ISS six hours after lift-off.

NASA has released a request for proposals (RFP) for the next round of contracts for private-sector companies to deliver experiments and supplies to the orbiting laboratory.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a resolution to create a commission for the construction of Vostochny Cosmodrome. Russian Vice-Premier Dmitry Rogozin was appointed chairman of the commission.

Yesterday at Baikonur, the State Commission authorised the rollout of the Proton M ILV/Briz M/Loutch SC to the launch pad area. In accordance with the State Commission go-ahead, the transfer of the Proton M to the pad area started at 0030 UTC.