News on key developments at SupremeSAT, and general news on the Space and Satellite industry from across the web
The next Arianespace Vega mission from French Guiana has been authorised for lift-off on 21 November (UTC) following completion of its launch readiness review. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018111901
Eutelsat Communications has ordered two new satellites from Airbus Defence and Space to replace the three existing Hotbird satellites at its 13° East neighbourhood. These all-electric high-power satellites are set to enter into service in 2022, serving Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018111902
Northrop Grumman Corporation announced that the "S.S. John Young" Cygnus spacecraft successfully completed its rendezvous and berthing manoeuvres with the International Space Station (ISS). http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018111903
Rocket: Soyuz-FG; Payload: Progress MS-10 [ISS 71P]; Date: 16 November 2018, 1814 UTC; Launch site: Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Progress MS-10 has arrived at the International Space Station and performed an automated docking to the aft port of the Zvezda Service Module on 18 November, 1928 UTC. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018111800
Rocket: Antares 230; Payload: Cygnus [NG-10, CRS 10]; Date: 17 November 2018, 0901 UTC; Launch site: Wallops Flight Facility, USA. The spacecraft, which is carrying carrying about 3,300 kg of vital supplies and scientific equipment, is scheduled to arrive at the ISS on 19 November. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018111801
The upcoming Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base has been delayed to give the launch team time to complete more inspections. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018111802
Avio successfully tested the prototype of the new M10 liquid oxygen-methane engine, developed by Avio in partnership with the European Space Agency within the Vega E (Vega Evolution) programme. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018111803
On 15 November, NASA’s Kepler space telescope received its final set of commands to disconnect communications with Earth. The "goodnight" commands finalise the spacecraft’s transition into retirement, which began on 30 October with NASA’s announcement that Kepler had run out of fuel and could no longer conduct science. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018111804
ISRO has successfully placed the high throughput communication satellite GSAT 29 in its final geostationary orbit. This was done after carrying out the final orbit raising operation by firing the liquid apogee motor engine for 207 seconds, the space agency said. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018111805
Russia is working on designing a satellite for Kazakhstan, and has invited Uzbekistan to co-operate, Roskosmos representative in Kazakhstan Anatoly Krasnikov was quoted as saying. http://www.sat-nd.com/archive/?id=2018111806