Satellite News

The radar and UHF radio on NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander have passed in-flight checkouts, the agency said.

SpaceDev has been awarded three contracts to deliver over 200 satellite components for Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

A key sensor being built for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) passed a critical test last month. Northrop Grumman Corporation is the prime contractor for NPOESS; ITT Corporation is the subcontractor responsible for developing the sensor.

Researchers have used a new technique to save US$60 million for broadcasters by extending the service life of two communications satellites. The technique works by applying an advanced simulation and a method that equalises the amount of propellant in a series of fuel tanks so that the satellite consumes all of the fuel before being retired from service.

The third orbit-raising manoeuvre on INSAT-4CR was successfully conducted with the firing of the 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) on board for 3,140 seconds.

India moves ahead with plans to build a constellation of seven geostationary/geosynchronous satellites that will form the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).

India moves ahead with plans to build a constellation of seven geostationary/geosynchronous satellites that will form the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).

A Lockheed Martin-led team has begun production activities to reconfigure a modernised Global Positioning System Block IIR (GPS IIR-M) satellite to include a new demonstration payload that will temporarily transmit a third civil signal following a successful review with the U.S. Air Force.