May 2018

EchoStar Corporation announced its financial results for the first quarter 2018. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018051003

Rocket: Chang Zheng 4C; Payload: Gaofen-5; Date: 8 May 2018, 1828 UTC; Launch site: Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China. The launch vehicle inserted the hyperspectral imaging satellite into a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 705 kilometers. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018050900

Maxar Technologies Ltd. (formerly MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.) reported financial results for the first quarter ending 31 March 2018. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018050901

A high-energy survey of the early Universe, an infrared observatory to study the formation of stars, planets and galaxies, and a Venus orbiter are to be considered for ESA’s fifth medium class mission in its Cosmic Vision science programme, with a planned launch date in 2032. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018050800

Pakistan is devoting more resources to its space programme as part of its effort to become less reliant on foreign-owned space assets, according to a new report. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018050801

SpaceX will reportedly be trying to launch Bangabandhu Satellite-1 for Bangladesh aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket on 10 May from Kennedy Space Center. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018050700

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) represented employees at Decatur, Alabama; Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida; and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, voted to reject United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) contract offer and have elected to go on strike. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018050701

Rocket: Atlas V 401/Centaur; Payload: Mars Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight), plus two Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats; Date: 5 May 2018, 1305 UTC; Launch site: Vandenberg Air Force Base, USA. Riding the Centaur second stage of the rocket, the spacecraft reached orbit 13 minutes and 16 seconds after launch.…

Rocket: Chang Zheng 3B; Payload: Apstar-6C; Date: 3 May 2018, 1606 UTC; Launch site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China. The satellite was successfully launched into geosynchronous transfer orbit. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018050300

Arianespace announced that it has been selected by SITAEL to launch the first small satellite for delivery of STRIVING services, to be conducted using a Vega as part of the launcher’s Small Spacecraft Mission Service (SSMS) Proof of Concept (POC) flight. It is the third contract signed by Arianespace for this POC flight. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018050301