Satellite News

Telesat announced that orbit raising and payload testing on its Phase 1 LEO satellite have been completed and that the spacecraft is now ready to support live demonstrations of its capabilities.

Lockheed Martin recently put its fifth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-5) satellite through its paces in realistic simulations of its future launch experience. The satellite completed the tests successfully and is now in system-level testing in preparation for delivery to the U.S. Air Force in 2019.

Thales Alenia Space said that following successful Critical Design Review, the companys Spacebus Neo product line is now entering qualification phases and manufacturing process involving an industrial consortium all across Europe :

The European Space Agency (ESA) has chosen OHB System AG as prime contractor for a new programme called PLATO (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars), with Thales Alenia Space as a partner.

Telesat and Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., a provider of satellite-based connectivity services to global mobility markets, have agreed to collaborate in optimising the capabilities of Telesat’s LEO system to serve broadband requirements of maritime and aeronautical markets.

The spacecraft of the BepiColombo mission to Mercury have arrived safely at Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, marking the start of six months of preparation to ready the craft for launch.

A high-energy survey of the early Universe, an infrared observatory to study the formation of stars, planets and galaxies, and a Venus orbiter are to be considered for ESA’s fifth medium class mission in its Cosmic Vision science programme, with a planned launch date in 2032.

Pakistan is devoting more resources to its space programme as part of its effort to become less reliant on foreign-owned space assets, according to a new report.