Satellite News

Iridium Communications Inc. announced the first seven companies it has authorised to provide its Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) services, planned for commercial introduction in the first half of 2020.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. announced that it had been awarded a US$39 million sole-source contract for Geolocation Global Support Services.

On its ninth and final mission of 2019 –the third this year with the Soyuz medium-lift launcher from the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in French Guiana – Arianespace will perform a multiple launch for European institutional needs.

ClearSpace-1 will be the first space mission to remove an item of debris from orbit, planned for launch in 2025. The mission is being procured as a service contract with a start-up-led commercial consortium, to help establish a new market for in-orbit servicing, as well as debris removal.

Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with the Egyptian operator Nilesat to build the Nilesat-301 geostationary communications satellite, winning the contract against an international field of competitors.

JAXA’s Hayabusa2 asteroid probe set off on its return voyage to Earth on Tuesday by activating its electric propulsion system.

The Enhanced Polar System Recapitalisation (EPS-R) Payload programme reached a major programme milestone completing a successful Delta Critical Design Review (CDR). Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems (NGAS) is the EPS-R Payload developer via an approximately US$410 million contract awarded in February 2018 that runs through December 2023.

Testing of the ExoMars rover at Airbus in Toulouse has moved to the next stage with the start of the thermal vacuum testing (TVAC) which will last about 18 days.