Satellite News

On 27 March 2008, the second stage motor for Vega – Europe’s new small launcher – successfully completed a static firing test at the Salto Di Quirra Inter-force Test Range in Sardinia, Italy.
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Preliminary tests have confirmed that the fourth SAR-Lupe satellite, launched yesterday aboard a Kosmos 3M, is working properly, manufacturer OHB System reported.

Space shuttle Endeavour was launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 0628 UTC and beginning the STS-123 mission to the International Space Station.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) announced that it has signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Office to carry their first Jumpstart mission payload onboard the upcoming Falcon 1 launch.

Rocket: Ariane 5 ES; Payload: Jules Verne ATV; Date: 9 March 2008, 0403 UTC; Site: Kourou, French Guiana. The launcher put the Automated Transfer Vehicle successfully into its target orbit. Engineers are meanwhile assessing a problem with the ATV’s onboard propulsion electronics.

Manufacturer Lockheed Martin has finally shipped Vietnam’s first telecommunication satellite, Vinasat. It will arrive at its launch site in French Guyana on 8 March, according to VietNamNet.

The Launch Readiness Review (RAL), organised by Arianespace at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, last night gave the go-ahead for today’s transfer of Ariane 5 out to the launch pad.

The Odyssey Launch Platform and the Sea Launch Commander have departed Sea Launch Home Port for the equatorial Pacific, in preparation for the launch of the DirecTV 11 broadcast satellite, planned for 17 March.