Satellite News

A Proton M/Briz M is to launch Anik F3 on 9 April, 2254 UTC from Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.

Russia will put three new communication satellites into orbit this year and another two next year, an official with the Russian Satellite Communications company (RSCC) said.

JAXA’s troubled Hayabusa asteroid sample return probe will shortly start its trip back to Earth, the agency said.

Lockheed Martin announced that it has successfully completed on-schedule the critical design review phase of the U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) and has made significant progress on the production readiness phase for the next generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system.

The Cornell University student team and their CUSat nanosatellite design has won the University Nanosat Flight Competition Review (FCR).

Globalstar, Inc. has signed a EUR9 million (approximately US$12 million) agreement with Alcatel Alenia Space to upgrade the Globalstar satellite operations and control centre located in Milpita and its backup satellite ground control facility located in El Dorado Hills (both California, USA).

China plans to build and launch in 2008 a replacement for its failed Sinosat 2 direct broadcast satellite.

The first of two satellite payloads for Arianespace’s next Ariane 5 mission is undergoing pre-launch preparations after arriving at the Spaceport in French Guiana last week.