Satellite News

THE JAXA/ESA infrared astronomical satellite, Akari, ran out of its on-board supply of cryogen, liquid Helium on 26 August 2007, signalling the completion of observations at far-infrared and mid-infrared wavelengths, including the All-Sky Survey.

SpaceX said it has successfully completed the first of three phases of review required by NASA’s Safety Review Panel (SRP) to send its Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).

The launch of India’s latest communication satellite, INSAT-4CR, aboard a GSLV from Sriharikota has been postponed by a day to 2 September.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officially shut down the country’s longest serving polar-orbiting satellite, NOAA-12 on 10 August.

Russia plans to launch a radar imaging satellite in the second half of 2008, Interfax reported.

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. has been awarded three contracts totalling approximately C$18 million (EUR12.4 million, US$16.9 million) to provide advanced technology solutions for three new telecommunications spacecraft.

SpaceDev said it provided key hardware and instruments for the recently launched Mars Phoenix Lander, now on its way to Mars.

Spacehab, Incorporated said that its Astrotech Space Operations subsidiary has won the first fully funded task order under the recently awarded Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM)/Jason-2.