Satellite News

The Earth Observation Directorate of the European Space Agency (ESA), Rome and Eurockot Launch Services GmbH, Bremen, have signed a contract for two satellite launches from late 2011 onwards. These launches comprise the joint launch of three SWARM satellites and a second generic launch suitable for different Earth observation and scientific missions ESA is currently preparing.
Other Posts:MetOp-A mated to Fregat upper stageUpdate. Date set for launch of Russian weather satelliteTBS is Very Funny on Satellite TVIridium Satellite LLC results 2Q 2006DSCS III amasses 175 years in orbitBeating Cable and Public Broadcast Blues With Satellite TVCanal Digitaal takes another Astra transponderBoeing ships IndoStar II / ProtoStar II to Baikonur

The launch of Astra 3B and COMSATBw-2 was scrapped owing to a “Red” indicator from the launch site infrastructure.
Other Posts:Arianespace Orders 35 Launchers From AstriumSirius + XM = Sirius XMTractors likely to continue invading ParisFemtoseconds lasers help formation flying in spaceTBS is Very Funny on Satellite TVNo Home Renovation is Complete Without Satellite TVGeneral Electric offers capacity on GE-23Atlas V WGS-2 launch targeted no earlier than 3 April

Rocket: Dnepr; Payload: Cryosat-2; Date: 8 April 2010, 1357 UTC; Launch Site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The signal confirming satellite separation came 17 minutes later from the Malindi ground station in Kenya.

Space shuttle Discovery took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on 5 April, 1021 UTC on the STS-131 mission. The launch began a 13-day flight to the International Space Station and the second of five shuttle missions planned for 2010. Problems with the shuttle’s Ku-band antenna are not expected to significantly hamper the mission.
Other Posts:Genesis 1 Carrying a NASA ExperimentThales Alenia Space wins contract for Sentinel-3Russian TV Times takes Intelsat 12 transpondersWhose satellite is this anyway?Raytheon Achieves Satellite Communications, GPS MilestonesCapRock To Provide VSAT To Otto Candies FleetNorthrop delivers first AEHF payloadAstrotrech to process WISE mission

Arianespace’s upcoming dual payload flight has been rescheduled to 9 April following additional checks performed on the launch vehicle at Europe’s Spaceport.
Other Posts:SSC communicates with THEOSVoIP Venture Begun From DirecTV, Hicks Holdings DealCanada awards 12 satellite licences to Ciel, TelesatEADS Astrium Revenues ClimbCOM DEV to start work on Globalstar 2C2SAT Appoints Telemar Scandinavia AB Global Service PartnerOndas Media Confirms Standards PublicationLockheed Martin Delivers Advanced EHF Hardware

Space Exploration Technologies, Inc. has moved the inaugural flight of its Falcon 9 vehicle to no earlier than 8 May.
Other Posts:SpaceDev gets contract from former chairmanAndrew finds buyer for its satcom businessGlobalstar Plans IPOSea Launch: next try on SundayNext Zenit-3SL launch planned for OctoberSES Astra starts broadband via satellite in GermanyUpdate: Russian military satellite launched from PlesetskDirecTV 9S, Optus D1, LDREX-2 launch delayed

The first stage for South Korea’s KSLV-1, the country’s first locally assembled launch vehicle, has arrived at the country’s launch centre, the government said.
Other Posts:Israel to launch TechSAR aboard foreign rocket, reportDish Network – Tailor Made For KidsMetOp-A mated to Fregat upper stageGlobecomm Introduces Next-Generation Satellite Network Management SystemProgress M-63 de-orbitedDelay of the day: Koronas FotonLawsuit against XM dismissedGalileo tender rules modified to appease Germany

Rocket: Soyuz-FG; Payload: Soyuz TMA-18; Date: 2 April 2010, 0404 UTC; Launch Site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The manned transport spacecraft was accurately placed on the target orbit for another mission to the International Space Station.