Satellite News

The launch of Soyuz 2.1a rocket with Meridian-M military satellite from Plesetsk, northern Russia, was cancelled over a malfunction of the rocket’s electrical equipment.

SpaceX is expected to launch its next Falcon 9 rocket into space on 27 January.

Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat and SpaceX have signed a contract for the launch of Nilesat-301 geostationary communications satellite due in 2022.

Russian rocket engine manufacturer NPO Energomash plans to ship six RD-180 rocket engines to the United States this year, government procurement website data shows.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. announced the execution of a Launch Services Agreement with Innovative Space Logistics BV (ISILAUNCH), a launch services subsidiary of Netherlands based ISIS – Innovative Solutions in Space B.V. (ISISPACE).

China’s Chang Zheng-5B rocket has passed testing and examination before leaving the factory and is expected to make its maiden flight in the first half of 2020, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

Rocket Lab has announced that it will launch a dedicated mission for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The launch window is scheduled to open on 31 January NZDT (UTC +9:30 hours) and the mission, called ‘Birds of a Feather,’ will lift off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1.

NASA and SpaceX completed a launch escape demonstration of the company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket Sunday. This was the final major flight test of the spacecraft before it begins carrying astronauts to the International Space Station under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.