Satellite News

SpaceDev, Inc. has finalised a Memorandum of Understanding with United Launch Alliance to pursue the potential of launching its SpaceDev Dream Chaser space vehicle carrying passengers and cargo on an Atlas V launch vehicle.

Rocket: Proton M/Briz M; Payload: Anik F3; Date: 9 April 2007, 2254 UTC; Launch Site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The satellite, built for Telesat Canada by EADS Astrium, separated from the Briz M today at 0805 UTC.

NASA has signed a US$719 million modification to the current International Space Station contract with Russia’s Federal Space Agency in Moscow for crew and cargo services through 2011.

Upgraded Uragan navigation satellites for Russia’s GLONASS navigation system will be launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, a Space Troops official said.

Rocket: Soyuz FG; Payload: Soyuz TMA-10; Date: 7 April 2007, 1731 UTC; Launch Site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The manned transport spacecraft was successfully placed on the target orbit for another mission to the International Space Station.

Australian telecom operator Optus has chosen Arianespace to launch its Optus D3 satellite.

Two more satellites have been moved from Zenit rockets to Ariane 5 after the explosion of a Zenit-3SL in January.

South Korea aims to launch its first KSLV rocket in late 2008 with the help of technology from Russia, the country’s Science Ministry said. The two governments recently concluded detailed negotiations on key issues related to their technology safeguard agreement (TSA).