Satellite News

Rocket: Proton M/Briz M; Payload: Inmarsat-5 F1; Date: 8 December 2013, 1212 UTC; Launch site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The rocket successfully placed its payload into a super-synchronous (geo-stationary) transfer orbit (SSTO).

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is ready to loft classified satellite into orbit for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office on the NROL-39 mission. Lift-off is scheduled for 0713 UTC on 6 December from Vandenberg Air Force Base. However, meteorologists predict cold temperatures will likely prevent launch.

Subject to the decision by the State Review Board, the Proton M integrated launch vehicle with a Briz M upper stage carrying the Inmarsat 5F-1 spacecraft was delivered to the Launch Facility today.

The Soyuz rocket that is to launch ESA’s Gaia is completing its basic build-up following mating of the vehicle’s Block I third stage in French Guiana.

Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) successfully completed its first geostationary transfer mission, delivering the SES-8 satellite to its targeted 295 x 80,000 km supersynchronous transfer orbit.

Rocket: Falcon 9 v1.1; Payload: SES-8; Date: 2341 UTC; Launch site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, USA. The rocket successfully placed its payload into a supersynchronous transfer orbit.

ISRO announced that the launch of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV D5, which was called off on 19 August due to a fuel leak in its second stage, is likely to take place in the first week of January 2014.

Blue Origin said its liquid-fuelled BE-3 engine successfully demonstrating deep throttle, full power, long-duration and reliable restart all in a single-test sequence.