Satellite News

Starting last week, spacecraft controllers have been executing a series of manoeuvres to gradually bring Venus Express closer to its host planet. In its modified orbit, the spacecraft will be able to observe unexplored regions and investigate phenomena that were not within its reach before.

Northrop Grumman said its Global Positioning System Next Generation Ground Control Segment (GPS OCX) team recently completed the Standard Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI) software assessment.

DirecTV Inc. has taken on-orbit delivery of the DirecTV 11 satellite.

Malin Space Science Systems, Inc. (MSSS) has delivered the first of four science cameras it is developing for the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory 2009 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover mission.

Valley Forge Composite Technologies, Inc. announced the company’s plans to introduce a cost effective satellite space platform/bus.

4C Controls Inc., USA, announced that it has selected for negotiation Thales Alenia Space Italia S.P.A. (TASI) as the prime contractor for the in-orbit delivery of the first two satellites with related ground segment of the planned 4C Controls’ satellites constellation.

Mitsubishi Electric Corp. said it has shipped the first Japanese-made communications satellite and started preparations for its launch on 12 August. It will be launched by an Ariane 5 ECA alongside SES Americom’s AMC 21 at approx. 2044 UTC.

Raytheon Company said it is leading a team to complete the final phase of India’s Global Positioning Satellite-Aided Geosynchronous Augmented Navigation System, or GAGAN.