Satellite News

Rocket: Ariane 5 ECA; Payload: GSAT-8, ST-2; Date: 20 May 2011, 2038 UTC; Launch Site: Kourou, French Guiana. At 27 min 08 sec after main engine ignition, ST-2 separated from the upper stage, followed by GSAT-8 at 31 min 17 sec.
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Rocket: Proton M/Briz M; Payload: Telstar 14R/ Estrela do Sul 2; Date: 20 May, 1915 UTC; Launch Site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Separation of the satellite from the rocket is expected on 21 May, 0428 UTC (too late for this issue).
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Space shuttle Commander Mark Kelly and his five crewmates are on their way to the International Space Station after launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 1256 UTC. The STS-134 mission is the penultimate orbiter flight and the final one for shuttle Endeavour.

The launch of GSAT-8 and ST-2 aboard an Ariane 5 from Kourou in French Guyana was postponed by a day.

The launch of Russia’s Spektr-R astrophysical observatory (RadioAstron) into orbit, set for July, will not be postponed, a Russian official was quoted as saying.

NASA managers have set the lift-off of space shuttle Endeavour for 1256 UTC on Monday, 16 May. Launch attempts are available through 26 May, except for 21 May. The STS-134 mission to the International Space Station is the penultimate shuttle flight and the final one for Endeavour.
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Rocket: Atlas V; Payload: SBIRS GEO-1; Date: 7 May 2011, 1810 UTC; Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, USA. After a 24-hour launch delay, the satellite was successfully placed into geosynchronous transfer orbit. Its planned location apparently has not been announced.

The official ceremony marking ESA’s handover of the Soyuz launch site to Arianespace took place today at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, after the site was declared ready for the first flight and the completion of a simulated launch campaign.