News on key developments at SupremeSAT, and general news on the Space and Satellite industry from across the web
A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket is in final preparations to launch Boeing’s Starliner capsule on the Orbital Flight Test to the International Space Station (ISS). The launch is planned for 20 December at 0136 UTC from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019121702
Japan will launch an H2A rocket carrying a government optical intelligence-gathering satellite in January from a launch site in southwestern Japan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. said. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019121703
The management of Airbus Defence and Space under the lead of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dirk Hoke said it planned to start discussions with employee representatives in regards to potential measures to address cost structure and to boost the division’s long-term competitiveness and future positioning. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019121704
Recently established Australian ground segment operator Capricorn Space and Japanese Ground Segment as a Service provider Infostellar have signed an agreement that will enable Infostellar customers access to their satellite constellations from the Australian Ground Network – West (AGN-W) site near Mingenew in Western Australia. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019121705
Rocket: Chang Zheng-3A; Payload: Beidou-3M19 (Beidou-52), Beidou-3M20 (Beidou-53); Date: 16 December 2019, 0722 UTC; Launch site: Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China. The two navigation satellites were placed into approx. 22,524 km x 22,193 km x 55.02 degrees orbit after a flight of more than three hours. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019121600
Vector Launch Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware, with a deal to sell its GalacticSky satellite software business to Lockheed Martin for US$4.25 million. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019121601
Arianespace’s year-ending Soyuz mission has been authorised for launch from the Spaceport in French Guiana. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019121500
The launch of Boeing’s Orbital Flight Test (OFT) to the International Space Station, as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, is targeted for 1136 ÛTC on Friday, 20 December. The uncrewed flight test will be the Boeing CST-100 Starliner’s maiden mission to the space station. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019121501
The capsule-shaped aeroshell that will protect NASA’s Mars 2020 rover was delivered to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Built by Lockheed Martin, the aeroshell will encapsulate and protect the Mars 2020 rover during its deep space cruise to Mars, and from the intense heat as the entry system descends through the Martian atmosphere to the…
Airbus has validated and demonstrated photonic satellite payload technology to Technology Readiness Level 6, the last level before prototype in orbit, through the OPTIMA Horizon 2020 project. This proof of concept demonstrator brings the use of photonic payloads in telecommunications satellites one step closer. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2019121503